Scotland players weren't fit to wear the shirt against Wales

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Published 22:33 15/11/09

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George Burley got the vote of confidence to continue as Scotland manager in September but I wonder whether the SFA regret that now.

Scotland decided to keep faith with boss Burley when they failed to make the World Cup as they finished third in Group Nine.

But the consistent scepticism and criticism since his appointment in January 2008 will only increase following their dire defeat 3-0 in Wales.

The performance against Wales was simply pathetic and Burley has admitted as much.

I remember growing up watching Scotland and the likes of Graeme Souness and Kenny Dalglish in their pomp.

They had stars with world-class grit, bottle and determination.

Now Scotland is not only not providing the talent, but they are providing players who don’t seem to have an interest in playing for their country either.

Wales against Scotland is one of the oldest international fixtures.

Yet I have never ever seen such an appalling lack of fight from a Scottish team.

Whether that is down to Burley or the players thinking they are better than they are, I am not sure.

But it just goes to show how far they have plummeted from when Scotland beat Holland in the 1978 World Cup as Archie Gemmill scored that amazing goal.

They have since gone from being a top ranked team to not even being in the third tier of teams in world football.

I don’t think Burley should quit because he got a performance out of the side against Holland in their last qualifier as the Scots just failed to make South Africa.

But the players should have a look at themselves because if they can’t play an international friendly against one of the other home nations and be up for it, then they shouldn’t wear the shirt.

The Scottish players to a man weren’t good enough or fit enough to wear the shirt.

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