Burley sets curfew on players for World Cup qualifiying double-header

GEORGE Burley is set to impose a curfew on Scotland's players during the international break.

Burley faces his first competitive matches in charge of the national side when they play a World Cup qualifying double-header in Macedonia and Iceland next month.

The Scotland boss, who names his squad for both games this morning, will lay down clear guidelines for players to follow throughout the 10 days they are under his supervision.

"There is a code of conduct that I will put in place with the guys in the squad," Burley revealed.

"They are representing their country and they are well aware of that. We have not had any problems with them.

"We are with each other for a very short period, so it is important they represent Scotland in the right way during that time.

"Our focus is on the World Cup. We have eight games, eight difficult games, in which to try to reach South Africa. They can make history if we qualify because it has been 10 years already since Scotland last qualified.

"We return on the Saturday evening after Macedonia and the players will be allowed to head home to their families.

"But they will be in for training on the Sunday before we then head to Iceland on the Tuesday.

"It is a tough schedule. The Old Firm guys are playing on Sunday and reporting to me with Scotland on the Monday but that's life as a professional footballer.

"The international fixtures are always sandwiched in between big club games, with Norway coming to Hampden in October.

"They will be reminded of what we want and expect from them.

"I will be speaking to them (about the Saturday night). They will be well aware we have another World Cup qualifier on the Wednesday and that they are representing their countries. I do not foresee any problems."

Meanwhile, Scottish Football Association security chief Derek Kirkwood has warned the Tartan Army he is powerless to help any fans who have bought unauthorised tickets for the Macedonia game.

Kirkwood has been told supporters who have bought from internet touts risk being turned away from the stadium in Skopje.

"Macedonia have given us our section of the ground and we then have to assure them that the tickets we sell for that area must only be through official channels," Kirkwood said.

"Sadly, if supporters acquire tickets by other means, we have no control over that.

"I will be speaking with the Macedonian FA about this but, as for raising anyone's hopes for gaining entry to the ground, I simply cannot do that.

• Scotsman.com will reveal Burley's Scotland squad when it is announced this morning