We've Scot to win

GEORGE BURLEY says Scotland’s trip to Macedonia is the big date in his calendar — but he wants his first win as manager this week.

His side face Northern Ireland at Hampden in the final warm-up before the World Cup qualifying trip to Skopje next month.

After the draw against Croatia and the defeat in the Czech Republic last season, he knows the Tartan Army are impatient for a victory.

Burley said: “You’re always looking to win games. We’ve had two games against two of the top sides in Europe which was great experience and great preparation — especially the Czech Republic away for the Macedonia game where temperatures could be similar.

“The Northern Ireland game is one where we’re looking for a good performance but for a good win as well.

“It’s our last game before the serious stuff starts and we’ll be looking to win a game against what I feel is a really good side.

“I watched them on video against Georgia when they won 4-1 and they were tremendous.

“They’re bringing around 6,000 fans which will make for a really good atmosphere. I think it’s going to be a good pre-season game where fans can come, bring the kids as well, and hopefully we’ll have a good atmosphere.”

Improving Northern Ireland are ranked 32 in the world — 16 places below Scotland — but Burley wants to see a more aggressive attacking performance so his squad go to Macedonia for the tricky September 6 tie in good heart.

He said: “The way we play next week won’t be a million miles away from what we’ll do in Macedonia. We’re at Hampden where, of course, you want to be attacking. But I feel that as a team we’ve got to be a bit more positive in possession. That’s an area we’re going to be looking at.

Defend

“I want us to have that belief when we’ve got the ball, and be a bit more positive going forward. International football is tough but you’ve got to have that belief.

“It’s important we try and win the game. Northern Ireland will work their socks off and make it very difficult but we’ve got to have the belief we can take the game to them.

“And even when we get to Macedonia we’ve got to be right, we’ve got to believe we can attack teams and not just sit back and hope for a breakaway. You’re always looking for more goals, you’re maybe looking for your midfield players to get forward into goalscoring positions and I feel we’ve got that in the locker.

“Barry Robson, Scott Brown and Darren Fletcher are capable of scoring goals.

“That’s something you hope they have — because when you lose the ball in international football you’ve certainly got to get back and defend, but you’ve also got to have that belief in going forward and getting goals.

“It’s so important because when you look at the group it’s going to be so tight. If you can get a few more goals or opportunities it can maybe make the difference.”

From that point of view, Kenny Miller and James McFadden will be key men this week — with the manager particularly looking forward to seeing Faddy, who’s had to pull out of both of Burley’s squads through injury.

He said: “I’ve spoken to Davie Moyes and Alex McLeish about Faddy and he’s the kind of player who can unlock defences with his abundance of talent. He does the unusual and he’s capable of scoring goals. It’s about getting him to work in a system that’s going to suit the team.

“I want him high up the pitch creating. I don’t want him in our penalty box — he’s got a role in the system we’re going to play.

“There’s no doubt that he has international qualities and, touch wood, we’ll get him in the squad this time.

“If he’s in the Premiership and not playing regularly, is that really better than playing week-in week-out in the Championship?

“I think you need to play regularly to fulfil your full potential and keep yourself sharp and fit and James has got that at Birmingham.”