Burley backs O'Connor for 2010 World Cup campaign

Published on Thursday 28 August 2008 10:44

SCOTLAND manager George Burley insists he had no problems handing a call-up to Garry O'Connor – despite his past misdemeanours with the national team.

The Birmingham striker's international future was thrown into jeopardy almost two years ago when he failed to report for a crucial Euro 2008 qualifier in the Ukraine during Walter Smith's tenure.

O'Connor was eventually welcomed back into the national-team fold by current club boss Alex McLeish but only after questions had been asked about his commitment to his country.

As far as Burley is concerned, the player deserves a clean slate and he was included in the 25-man squad named at Hampden yesterday for the World Cup qualifiers against Macedonia and Iceland.

"I've never had any problems with Garry," he said.

"He was at the first get-together when I arrived and I said to Garry that he needs to play football. He was out with an abscess in his mouth and he didn't really get going at the end of last season.

"I spoke to Alex McLeish about him and he's had a terrific pre-season, he's scored five or six goals in pre-season games and started the season scoring. Steven Pressley went to watch him on Saturday and he's a very good striker.

"He gives us a physical presence and he's in form.

"As far as what's happened in the past, I've never had any problems with him and I don't anticipate I will."

Burley's previous three squads for friendlies against Croatia, the Czech Republic and Northern Ireland were all hit hard by injuries.

But he does not anticipate the same number of withdrawals from the World Cup double-header as a result of minor knocks.

"In World Cup games, if it's an injury they can play with, they will," he said.

"You're going to take little risks because it's the biggest tournament in the world, it's the World Cup.

"Losing Barry Ferguson was a blow, as was Alan Hutton. But there's nothing we can do about it and we've got a good squad of players. It's been good for me to work with them for three friendlies which has given me more of a feel about what they can and what they can't do.

"I've got a view in my mind for the Macedonia game over what the team is going to be.

"We'll be giving players every opportunity, if they can play we'll be pushing it through.

"I think club managers realise that when it's a World Cup game it's important that we get the best team we can out.

"You want your best players. We've got two missing who would be automatic choices.

"There's no use whingeing about it. No use making excuses about it. No good worrying about it.

"We've got our squad of players. It's international football. We can't go and buy one or bring one on loan.

"We have other players there who have performed in friendly games and did well and we'll push on from there."