BURLEY PLAYS DOWN IRAN FRIENDLY TALK

PA Sport- Scotland manager George Burley has all but ruled out a trip to Tehran to play Iran in friendly at the end of May.

The Scottish Football Association has arranged a challenge game against Croatia at Hampden on March 26 but the former Hearts, Ipswich and Southampton boss is looking for at least two more games before the first World Cup qualifier on September 6 in Macedonia.

Iran contacted the SFA with a view to Scotland visiting on May 28, four days after the Scottish Cup final, but Burley was reluctant to give that idea too much encouragement.

He said: "There have been a couple of different proposals for a game in May.

"Iran have approached the SFA but the odds are very much against it.

"We have a problem in May in that it looks as if the Old Firm are both going on tours so we could be missing six or seven players.

"But then again, we have very few opportunities to play games in the build-up to the World Cup qualifiers, so I would like to get something sorted for May because then the next friendly date won't be until August.

"I'm very pleased with the game coming up against Croatia at Hampden.

"I think that is going to be a tremendous match and great preparation but it would be nice to get another couple of games."

Burley, at Hampden to announcement a new £2.5million sponsorship deal between BT Scotland and the national stadium, believes the relative success of both Old Firm clubs in Europe this season bodes well for the international arena.

Celtic were knocked out of the last 16 of the Champions League by Barcelona in midweek while Rangers hold a 2-0 advantage over Werder Bremen after the first leg of their UEFA Cup last-16 clash at Ibrox.

Burley, however, does not believe that club engagements will distract Celtic and Rangers players from their international ambitions.

He said: "I'm very pleased with how well the Scottish clubs have done. It can only develop players to play in Europe against some of the best players in the world.

"It has given them more games but Scotland has to be important to the players as well.

"If they are playing on a Saturday and a Wednesday then you have to take some things into consideration but I don't think fatigue comes in to it.

"There is a feel-good factor among the squad and the aim is to qualify for the World Cup final.

"That is a very important part of a footballer's career."

Burley reacted favourably to England manager Fabio Capello's recent suggestion that he is keen to set up a friendly between England and Scotland.

The former Hearts and Ipswich boss has already ruled out the available date on May 28 but is equally keen to resurrect the fixture some time in the future.

Burley said: "I agree with him. Hopefully in the next couple of years we will be able to get a fixture and a date sorted out for that type of game.

"That certainly would be great for both countries."