Stuart Bathgate: Burley knows heat will be on in searing Skopje

Published on Tuesday 2 September 2008 00:36

With temperatures of 33C expected in the Macedonian capital, Scotland manager will adopt a low-tempo approach to qualifier

AFTER a miserable British summer, George Burley's Scotland squad may well be looking forward to their visit to Macedonia, where temperatures are forecast to be around 33 degrees Celsius by the weekend.

But such conditions, while unproblematic for holidaymakers, are less pleasant when you are trying to play a World Cup qualifier in them. Warmth that at first feels welcome soon becomes strength-sapping when you are trying to run around in it, and Burley's game plan for this opening match in Group Six has been designed with such difficulties in mind.

With their second qualifying match taking place just four days later in Iceland, Scotland cannot afford to spend a lengthy period acclimatising to the heat of the Balkans. Instead, they will fly to Skopje, the Macedonian capital, on Friday, and go through only the lightest of training on the eve of the match.

"This is something you've got to cope with," Burley said yesterday. "I'm not going to make excuses about the heat, or the surface, or injuries. We've got eight games to try and qualify and that's what we've got to be focused on.

"If we went on Thursday we wouldn't be able to do any training. Not in that heat.

"We'll go over on the Friday and we'll go on the pitch. In that heat I don't think it will be beneficial doing much training at all.

"We can't change it and we can't go over there for three months before the game and acclimatise. It's something we have to cope with and overcome. There isn't much we can do about the heat over there.

"We will have a feel of the pitch but you can't train properly over there. We will be there in plenty of time to prepare for the game.

"You've got to be sensible the way you play. You've got to try to conserve your energy, and you've certainly got to make sure you're hydrated – that's something we'll be working very hard with. You're not going to play the way you would do in the British climate.

"Our match against the Czech Republic was in similar conditions. It was boiling there, and a number who played in that game are in the squad for this one.

"You've got to keep the ball, pass it, work as a unit. You can't chase the ball individually all over the pitch – you've got to work as a unit, try and get the ball and keep it."

Burley, who was speaking in Glasgow at a fans' forum hosted by Scotland sponsors, Nationwide Building Society, is in any case convinced that Macedonia have a lot more going for them than the conditions in which they will play their home games.

"I watched them play against Croatia, Poland, England and Luxembourg," he said. "They're an excellent side, and experienced. Nine who were involved against Luxembourg played against England. They've got a formation which suits them, which they have stuck to over the last few years, and they have matured together.

"They will play with three up front. I think they're capable of taking points off any of the teams in the group. Under those conditions they're never going to be easy, so they're capable of playing a big part in deciding whoever is going to qualify."

The heat will be especially taxing on players such as Kenny Miller who are expected to do most running. Burley, however, is confident the Rangers striker has the intelligence to adapt, and was also delighted to see him return to goalscoring ways with a double against Celtic on Sunday.

"Kenny is an experienced player. He has got energy and pace, but there's thought to his game as well," said Burley.

"It's great to see people in your squad are bang on form. I've spoken before about Kenny maturing as a player and as a person over the last few years. On the big occasion, he showed his strength and he's done that for Scotland as well.

"A lot of Scottish players were involved (in the Old Firm match], which is great to see. It was a terrific game and there was a lot of good football played.

"There was a lot of pressure on Kenny coming back to Rangers, and certainly going to Parkhead (on Sunday]. I think Kenny can handle that pressure."

Celtic's Scott Brown was one player who did not have as impressive a game as Miller on Sunday, but the national manager insisted he remained unperturbed by suggestions that the midfielder was going through a period of poor form. "Not at all. I've seen Scott loads of times.

"I think there's been unfair criticism of him, personally. He's holding his place at Celtic. He played tremendously.

"I was at the game and thought there were some excellent performances. Scott Brown is very much in my plans.

"Look at Barry Robson. He's a top-class player, and maybe the only reason he's not in the starting line-up is that Celtic have got alternatives.

"(Scott] certainly didn't let Celtic down, that's for sure. He is doing very well for Celtic as far as I'm concerned. I've seen him play so many times this season and last season, so I haven't got a problem with that."

In fact it would appear that, apart from the predictable handful of injury concerns, Burley hasn't got a problem with anything.

He knows the campaign will be tough, but he is looking forward to the challenge.

"We're not going out with any fear or worry," he concluded. "We'll be trying to win the game. Collecting any points will be a bonus away from home."