Scotland in need of home comfort

WORLD CUP 2010 qualifying: Scotland v Norway Hampden Park 3pm: GEORGE BURLEY insists the prospect of moving Scotland a step …

WORLD CUP 2010 qualifying: Scotland v NorwayHampden Park 3pm: GEORGE BURLEY insists the prospect of moving Scotland a step closer to World Cup qualification is his motivation for securing a win against Norway, not saving his own job.

Burley has already been given assurances by Scottish FA chief Gordon Smith that his position as national team coach will be unaffected by today's qualifier regardless of the outcome.

"It's not about me, it's about Scotland," said Burley. "I took this job to try to take my country forward. It's about the country, the supporters, the players, everybody involved with Scotland trying to progress. That's the only thing that's ever bothered me.

"I took the job to try to take the country forward and I'll give it everything I've got."

READ MORE

The visit of Norway represents Burley's first competitive match at Hampden since his appointment back in January, following a defeat and a win, respectively, against Macedonia and Iceland already in the campaign.

Manager Burley must decide whether to start with James McFadden as a lone striker or partner him with another one of the other forwards.

Despite Norway's surprise draw at home to Iceland in their group opener, manager Age Hareide insists the pressure is all on Burley's team, who have three points from a possible six after their first two qualifiers in Macedonia and Iceland.

"The pressure is on Scotland, they are the home team," he said. "And they lost the last game they played against us at Hampden.

"It was an even game but, thankfully, it favoured us with a 1-0 win. Naturally, I hope that win will be a psychological boost for us."