George Burley calls on Scottish Government to invest in national side

SCOTLAND manager George Burley has called for more government funding to help
the country qualify for future World Cup and European Championship tournaments.

The national team boss argues the Scottish Government should be providing more facilities and schemes to encourage youngsters to hone their skills.

Burley, speaking at an event to raise money for the Scottish Huntington's Association, pointed to the investment made in indoor sports facilities in countries such as Denmark.

The Danes qualified for the World Cup finals this month, while Burley failed to lead Scotland to the play-offs.

"We haven't got the facilities, we haven't got the backing from the government," Burley said.

"We played football four or five hours a day. We played in school, in the park, for boys' clubs. These days, you see 15 to 16-year-olds who can hardly trap a ball.

"Sports science and diet has improved but the basic skills were much better then because we practised from an early age."

Burley, who signed for Ipswich at the age of 15, added: "If you can give children more opportunities, like myself, coming from a mining community in Cumnock, surely that's good for society?"

Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith is involved in discussions with the government to seek ways of boosting his efforts to get children more involved in the sport.

And despite his fears, Burley is convinced the SFA are making strides.

"I think we're going the right way," he added. "I think it's going to take time to develop young players. We all recognise that.

"A lot of work goes on behind the scenes with Gordon and Jim Fleeting going into schools.

"It's important we try to get more new facilities. You look at Toryglen (Football Centre), which is fantastic, and we need more of that.

"I'm sure Andy Roxburgh and Craig Brown spoke about it and my other predecessors.

"Can we lobby the government more and get more money because the Scottish FA haven't got the money to do it all."

Burley was joined by Smith, Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee and Inverness boss Terry Butcher at last night's event at the Citizens Theatre, Glasgow.

And the club managers had differing tales to tell on their own youth structures.

McGhee, who handed 16-year-old Fraser Fyvie his debut this season and promoted several other young players, believes his director of football deserves credit for his foresight.

"The youth policy Willie Miller put in place five years ago is coming to fruition," McGhee said.

"Willie Miller for five years has been saying, 'We have got a great youth
policy', and now everyone is seeing that.

"But it needed a strong character like Willie to ring-fence that money for the youth policy while fans looked for immediate success."

Butcher has also given young players their chance this term but relegation from the Clydesdale Bank Premier League could affect the number who follow in future years.

"We haven't got a youth team now," said the Scotland assistant manager.
"They are cutting back and that's the first thing they cut.

"We have got a good few youngsters in the squad but the problem is getting them matches.

"Scotland doesn't have a reserve league and now we don't have an under-19 team."