SCOTLAND boss George Burley insisted today that former Hearts star Craig Gordon can challenge Petr Cech for the title of Europe's top goalkeeper in the next few seasons.
The two shot-stoppers will come up against one another in this evening's international challenge match against Czech Republic in the Axa Arena in Prague, Burley's second match in charge of the national side.
Burley, pictured below right, may not h
ave his strongest squad to choose from for tonight's friendly – Sunderland goalkeeper Gordon is one of the few experienced campaigners left in the side following six withdrawals from an already weakened squad – but the former Hearts and Ipswich manager believes he has a man with the potential to be the best in Europe between the sticks tonight.
At the other end, of course, will be Chelsea's Cech and Burley is relishing the opportunity to see how the two compare on the night. He said: "I know Craig from our time at Hearts and he was absolutely superb for me.
"He faces a big test at Sunderland and he's come through his first season very well. He's still maturing but already he's one of the top keepers in Europe.
"Of course, the Czechs have Petr Cech who probably is the top keeper in Europe so it will be interesting to compare the two. But, no matter how this game goes, Craig is a phenomenal keeper.
"He's the type of guy who doesn't get flustered by anything. He doesn't go into games worrying about them.
"He has bags of confidence and all the ability in the world. He's developing into a terrific player as he gets older and, over the next couple of years, I believe he can challenge Petr Cech for the title of being the top keeper in Europe."
Alan Hutton, James McFadden, Steven Whittaker, Kevin Thomson, Kris Boyd and Steven Fletcher were forced to miss the visit to Prague and Burley is hoping there will be no additions to the casualty list.
Sir Alex Ferguson was furious when Darren Fletcher suffered an injury during Burley's debut, the 1-1 draw with Croatia at Hampden in March, and the Scotland boss admitted: "I know how he (Ferguson) feels. I spoke to him about it after the last game. Club managers protect their own players and that is understandable.
"But Darren has come, he's desperate to play and that's what you want from your players. Unfortunately you can't avoid injuries in football. You can't change that. Touch wood we don't pick up any more over here. I felt bad for Darren and for Manchester United but you can't legislate for things like that."
The six withdrawals this time around were preceded by seven for the Croatia match but Burley added: "I don't feel let down. We have injuries and whatever but we have a squad of players who we've enjoyed working with.
"We have an abundance of talent and the nucleus of an exciting young squad. We will try to utilise that the best way we can and put on a good performance against the Czechs.
"The call-offs may mean I have to change my game plan slightly, you can only pick a team from the personnel available to you.
"It will mean we have some players making their debuts and players who are desperate to play. When you look at the team we will have a good blend of youth and experience. We may have a young team but we have no fears, no worries. We will try to express ourselves and we will work our socks off. We're looking for a good result and a good performance."
New boy James Morrison is hoping to win his first cap for Scotland tonight but knows he has more than most to prove to the Tartan Army as he prepares to embark upon a new international career.
But he believes that if a patriotic Englishman like Terry Butcher can win over the Tartan Army there is no reason why he cannot too. Born in Darlington and eligible for Burley's side through his late Scottish grandparents, the West Brom midfielder is hoping to be handed his international debut the Czechs and prove he is good enough for his adopted nation.
He said: "I have to prove myself to the Scotland fans and, really, whoever is watching me. I know that. I like a challenge and it's one I'm looking forward to. I know some fans might not have accepted me right away because I qualified for Scotland through the grandparent rule.
"However, the only thing I can do is to get on with it.
"Being accepted did play on my mind. But there are plenty of people who have done it with other nations. I mean we have Terry Butcher here who was a great England player. If he can be part of the Scotland set-up then why not me?
"My grandparents passed away a few years ago, but I still have family in Largs. They have come down to support me at West Brom. We are very close, to be honest, and I think they will be proud to see me put on that jersey.
"International football is a big stage and I'm happy to be a part of it. It has taken a while, but I'm still young and have plenty of time on my hands, so that's in my favour."
Rangers and England legend Butcher joined the Scotland set-up when Burley replaced Alex McLeish back in January. And Morrison added: "Terry is great for us. He has fantastic experience at international level and that is going to be a big help. But I can't really remember him as a player. I think he was a bit before my time!
"But I know he was a committed character and a big star.
"Terry is passionate about Scotland. In the team talks and meetings, he gets his passion over to the players."
Meanwhile, stand-in captain Stephen McManus admits he is almost relieved Scotland will not be participating at Euro 2008 this summer so he can have a well-earned break.
Celtic won the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title on the final day of the season but the triumph was tempered by the death of former coach Tommy Burns a week earlier.
"I'll be glad for a holiday, to be honest," said the Celtic captain. "It would have been marvellous to play in Euro 2008 but, this year more than ever, mentally with things that have happened it's important everybody can recharge the batteries. There probably will not be another season like this.
"There's been tragedy, high emotions, there's been glory and it all seemed to come at once.
"Everybody will just be glad to get this one out the road and enjoy our holidays."
Scottish football also endured the tragic loss of Motherwell skipper Phil O'Donnell at the age of just 35 from heart failure during an SPL match in December.
And McManus was particularly pleased to see O'Donnell's nephew and team-mate David Clarkson earn his first Scotland call-up this week.
He said: "It's great for David. He's had a really good season. "I've been fortunate to see him a couple of times when we've not been playing and he's really come on under Mark McGhee.
"It's a been very tough year for his whole family and even with things that have been going on recently it shows how strong they are.
"He's a really strong character and it helps when you've got a good group of friends and a strong family."
Tomas will be ready if Scots adopt Rangers approachTOMAS UJFALUSI was far from impressed the last time he came up against Scottish opposition – and he is hoping for a more entertaining match when the Czech Republic host George Burley's side in tonight's friendly.
Fiorentina star Ujfalusi crossed paths with Rangers in the semi-final of the UEFA Cup this year and was frustrated by their defensive style of play.
After 210 minutes of football failed to separate the two clubs, it was Rangers who progressed to the final after winning a penalty shoot-out in Florence.
This match acts as the Czechs' final warm-up before the European Championship and he has urged the strikers to be out of the traps quickly to avoid a repeat of the meetings with Rangers.
"I don't know if Scotland play in the same style as Rangers," said the skipper. "If they do, that means nine players staying in their half of the pitch. Offensively, we just have to play more quickly and pass the ball as quickly as possible in the opposition's half."
Coach Karel Bruckner, who is set to retire after the summer,
believes the friendly against Scotland will be a worthwhile exercise, even though Burley's squad has been decimated by call-offs.
Burley has suffered from numerous withdrawals since taking over and heads into this game with a very different side from the one who narrowly failed to qualify last year under Alex McLeish. James McFadden, Alan Hutton, Steven Fletcher and Rangers trio Kevin Thomson, Steven Whittaker and Kris Boyd all pulled out of the trip to Prague, while a long-term ankle problem meant skipper Barry Ferguson was not named in the squad either.
But veteran coach Bruckner insisted: "I believe Scotland will be strong opponents.
"They didn't qualify but, in my opinion, Scotland are one of the top teams in Europe."
The full article contains 1589 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
