Burley sure Scots will face England soon

Published on Wednesday 16 July 2008 10:22

SCOTLAND boss George Burley is keen to manage his country against England despite the lack of available dates in the near future.

The Scottish Football Association turned down the opportunity to resurrect the oldest international fixture in the game in May, because both Old Firm clubs had indicated their players would be away on tour.

Neither Celtic nor Rangers took their players away in the end but Burley suffered a whole team of call-offs ahead of the 3-1 friendly defeat by the Czech Republic.

And while Burley's focus is now on the 2010 World Cup, which kicks off for Scotland with a qualifier in Macedonia in September, he hopes to arrange a fixture with the Football Association after the South Africa finals.

Burley said: "They said they have games in place until 2010 but they were keen to have a game and so were we. I would have thought in the next two or three years we would be able to sort a date out for a Scotland and England game.

"It definitely would catch the imagination. The summer wasn't right for us to play because we didn't know whether Rangers or Celtic would go on tour and it worked out we would have ten or 11 players not available.

"In the next two or three years I am sure there will be a date arranged."