Burley says soaked fans deserve medals

Published on Thursday 7 May 2009 22:51

SCOTLAND manager George Burley admits the fans who made the effort to watch the B international victory over Northern Ireland on Wednesday deserved a medal.

A crowd of 2,110 – including Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty – made the trip to Broadwood to witness the 3-0 win despite heavy wind and rain and the lure of the Champions League semi-final between Chelsea and Barcelona being shown live on television.

Goals from Andy Webster, George Boyd and Leigh Griffiths sealed a comfortable win for the Scots second string despite the conditions.

Burley said: "With weather like that, I'd like to thank everyone who turned out. It was an horrendous night and there was also the football on the TV. I think anyone who came deserved a medal. I'm sure it wasn't easy even to get out the front door."

A clash of fixtures with the SPL meant he was unable to select players from Hearts, Hibernian, Dundee United and Aberdeen, who are all in action tonight.

But Burley declared the exercise worthwhile, insisting: "It was a night to look at players so I don't think the result was that important.

"We wanted to look at young players with the under-19s and under-21s, as well as other players who are too old for that age group, as well as players who have been in my full squad and not played any games and other players I haven't seen before. Overall, I thought it was a good exercise."

Livingston youngster Griffiths – named PFA Scotland First Division player of the year at the weekend – was one who caught the eye of Burley. The Scotland manager added: "He has good experience and I know Billy Stark has spoken highly of him.

"It was my intention to have a look at a few young players.

"I think the experience he got will stand him in good stead for the 19s and then the under-21s. And, if he keeps progressing, hopefully it won't be too long before he is pushing into the full squad."

Northern Ireland coach Steve Beaglehole admitted he had no complaints about the result against more experienced opposition. He said: "We were always on the back foot and stretched against a more experienced team. We knew it was going to be difficult. We had three players under 21 at the start and ended up with four players under 19.

"We were very naive and picked off twice and they've got to learn these things quickly. But it was a fully deserved victory for Scotland. They were the more experienced side and had too much for us."