Burley hits out
Scotland manager George Burley has described the wait he faces to discover if he will keep his job as "ridiculous".
Burley, who has a contract until 2012, will meet his employers sometime in the coming week to discuss his future after Scotland finished third in Group Nine. That situation is far from ideal for Burley but the former Hearts manager insists he still has the appetite for the job.
In his most outspoken interview in the job, Burley said: "My job is to control the team, unfortunately I can't control the SFA. They're my employers. We have to work as a team and sometimes we're not working as one in a lot of areas. That isn't good for us on and off the field."
He added: "But I still have a passion for this job. We are heading in the right direction and I will do everything I can to make this country successful.
"However, if the SFA decide the job isn't there for me I will accept it and move on.
"But it is a little bit ridiculous that it is hanging on at the moment. I'd like to know one way or another."
Burley has lost several players throughout the campaign - Lee McCulloch quit international football days before the opening group game and Kris Boyd withdrew his services after being overlooked during the goalless draw with Norway. Then the infamous drinking session at Cameron House, followed by gestures made by skipper Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor at Hampden, saw him lose two more.
"As we all know, there were things with players that I wasn't happy about," Burley said. "Four or five players maybe particularly didn't want to play for me and didn't give me the respect they should have, and that had to be sorted out and has been.
"I can't single players out but everybody has to be together. We knew we had a problem and it's been addressed one way or another, and it's shown in performances.
"Against Macedonia and Holland, the players showed that it has been eradicated. I think the players and myself have shown a better bond. That's important."
