AUGUST 26 – SCOTLAND manager George Burley (pictured) has added his voice to those saying they do not support a united British football team for London 2012, despite his countryman Gordon Brown stepping up attempts to force it through.
The Prime Minister used a trip to Beijing to attend the closing ceremony of the Olympics at the weekend to meet with FIFA President Sepp Blatter and try to get assurances that if Scotland and Wales take part in a British team they will not sacrifice their independence for events such as the World Cup and European Championships.
Brown also once again raised the possibility of former Scotland manager Sir Alex Ferguson being in charge of the team for 2012.
Burley, like the majority of Scots, though, remains unmoved by the prospect.
He said: “It’s been black and white from day one with the SFA.
“The national team comes first and at the moment we are keen to keep our nationality intact.
“We have to have a national Scottish team and we can’t put that in jeopardy so there has been no change.”
Burley’s views are in contrast with his predecessor Walter Smith, who two years refused to rule out the idea.
He said: “Scotland is inclined to be insular.
“But, if Great Britain had a team in it, I am sure any player worth his salt would want to be picked.”