Lack of sharpness no excuse in Norway game – Craig

Published on Tuesday 4 August 2009 11:58

CRAIG BURLEY fears a lack of competitive action could be a problem for Scotland as they prepare to face Norway in a crucial World Cup qualifier this month.

But the former international insists the timing of the clash in Oslo should not be used as an excuse for defeat.

George Burley's side face Norway on August 12, three days before the Clydesdale Bank Premier League campaign begins. Scottish clubs have already suffered from a lack of match sharpness, with Celtic, Aberdeen, Motherwell and Falkirk all enduring disappointing results in Europe ahead of the new domestic season.

Burley said: "Playing internationals at this stage is never ideal because you're not up to speed until the end of August or mid-September. It always takes six weeks or so to get yourself fully fit and sharp. But that's been the case for many years now and it should never be used as an excuse.

"I've read this week that our leagues play at the wrong time and that's why we are struggling in Europe but that's just nonsense.

"We're struggling because we're not bringing the right players in, we don't have the right finances and we're not bringing young kids through.

"That's the big problem for the Scotland team as well, that the kids filtering through are not quite there for George Burley so when he does lose one or two players to injury or misdemeanours or stupidity, there's not quite the quality to come and step in.

"That's a bigger problem for him than worrying about whether players are up to match sharpness or not."

Burley – nephew of Scotland boss George – sees no reason why the national team should not be able to secure maximum points in Norway, despite being held to a goalless draw at Hampden back in October. He added: "We have some big games coming up and the Norway game is a game we can win for no other reason than they're not the best side either.

"Apart from Holland, we are in a group that is pretty average and we go into that bunch as well because we have been unproven for the last ten or 12 years.

"I don't see any reason why we should go over to Norway and sit in and try to nick a goal. It's about going there and being positive and hopefully our big players will be able to cajole our fringe players around the pitch and we will be able to get the right result.

"If we do that, we give ourselves the chance of a play-off at least."