Gordon fear: Sunderland axe may cost Craig his Scotland place, admits coach Burley

03 March 2009 02:52
George Burley last night warned Scotland No 1 Craig Gordon that his starting place for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Holland is under threat. The £9million keeper's international future has been under the spotlight since he lost his Sunderland starting slot to Hungarian international Marton Fulop. Fulop signed a new three-and-a-half year deal at the Premiership club on Friday. And with Rangers keeper Allan McGregor returning eight clean sheets in his last 10 games, the pressure is now on the former Hearts star. 'If you are not playing it is difficult,' stated Burley yesterday at the opening of a new indoor regional football centre in Glasgow. 'But we all know what Craig can do. 'We still have a few weeks before the Holland game, so that is something I am keeping an eye on. You want your players to be playing on a regular basis. 'It's something you look at. Allan has been in excellent form and showed against Argentina he can come in and perform very well in an international game. In any of these situations you look at it right up until a week before the game.' Burley will look to goalkeeping coach Jim Stewart for advice on Gordon's fitness. With Stewart also doubling up as McGregor's mentor at Rangers, however, the regular No1 appears up against it at club and international level. 'I'm sure Craig won't be worried,' claimed Burley. 'The boy Fulop has done very well for Sunderland - that's why he has stayed in the team. 'But for me, Craig Gordon is a top international keeper. I know him well, of course. I had him at Hearts and I don't think he has put a foot wrong on the international scene. 'I have no doubts that eventually Craig will regain his place. But his sharpness will need to be assessed and looked at. Full support: George Burley insists he still has every faith in Gordon but will be forced to examine his sharpness before Scotland face Holland. 'It's something I will speak to Jim Stewart about. I enjoy coaching but I have always left the goalkeeping coach to look after goalkeepers and it's something that will be talked about before the Dutch game.' Full-back Alan Hutton remains a grave doubt for Amsterdam despite saying last week that he hopes to make a return from long-term injury. Spurs would be likely to oppose their own £9million man making his competitive return in a game out of their control and Burley was circumspect on the matter yesterday, saying only: 'Alan is progressing. He is back in full training, so that is great. I spoke to him before the last get-together and he was very hopeful. 'He is back in full training but hasn't played a game yet. He's another one I will have to assess at the last minute.' Neither did Burley express any concerns over the appointment of French referee Laurent Duhamel for the Holland game. The under-fire official has been demoted from top-flight games in his own country after failing to send off two Paris St Germain players in a recent game. Burley said: 'FIFA choose the refs and I'm sure whoever referees the game will do it fairly. We have no influence on that matter and it's not a concern.'

Source: Daily_Mail