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George Burley's position is safe

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    George Burley's position is safe

    George Burley is not under threat of losing his job as Scotland manager after the 4-0 humbling in Norway.

    Scottish FA chief executive Gordon Smith, who was jeered by fans in Oslo, told BBC Scotland: "It's too early to say 'is there going to be any change?'.

    "We have two games and we are still in a position where we can qualify.

    "It's not going to take a miracle, you wouldn't even say it was improbable. It's difficult but it's still there to be done and we have to be positive."

    Scotland need to win their remaining matches, at home to Macedonia and the Netherlands in September, to have any chance of reaching the play-offs for World Cup qualification.

    And following the heavy defeat in Norway, fans are running out of patience with the international set-up.

    Burley has won just two of his 10 games at the helm, both against Iceland, and Smith was criticised by fans after the game in Oslo.

    "There is a blame culture and someone has to get it; it just happened to be me," he explained.

    "A lot of people feel very frustrated, they recognise me as part of the SFA and therefore they vent their spleen on us because they reckon we are to blame

    "I can forgive people for having a go at me because I share their disappointment and know how they feel."

    Macedonia are level with Scotland on seven points, while the Netherlands have already won Group Nine, with a 100% record in their seven games.

    "We always knew we needed six points from three games and now we have just two games remaining and we have Holland to play in our last game," added Smith.

    "The games are at home which is ideal to try and get that play-off position but Holland are such a strong side, they are in good form and their manager has motivated them to win every game.

    "Even though they have already qualified and there's nothing at stake for them, they will want to beat us.


    But if we want to be in the play-offs, it's down to ourselves in terms of what we do. We've got to beat Macedonia first and then look forward to the big game with Holland."

    Burley has ruled out any possibility of resigning before September's double-header at Hampden, while Smith insists he is not feeling any pressure.

    "George was brought in for us to qualify for the 2010 World Cup," said Smith. "That was his remit, he was given a contract on that basis and therefore we will review his position when we see where we are.

    "If we don't qualify, we'll have to look at the situation and that would be a board decision.



    Burley insists qualification still on
    "We would have to review how thing have been. Is there a progression? The fact is we have actually developed quite a few young players and looking at the next campaign there is a nucleus of the group who are pretty new.

    "You could say there is development there and that's another factor. If a manager looks as if he is developing a team that always goes in his favour.

    "Most of the things happening at the SFA are very positive but the results of the national team are obviously crucial."

    from bbc.co.uk

    scotland played appauling in that match, but i believe it was the players who just simply didnt care after they were 1-0 down.
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