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Furious Scotland fans have criticised the Scottish Football Association after hundreds of Tartan Army fans missed the start of the match against Croatia.

Only two kiosks were opened outside the ground to allow fans to collect pre-paid tickets, causing large queues to build up before kick-off.

Many fans were still waiting outside when Croatia scored the opening goal.

A spokesman for Hampden Park, who issue tickets for the SFA, said lessons had been learned from the chaotic scenes.

The problem was apparently caused by tickets not being posted to fans over the Easter weekend, meaning many people were forced to collect them before the game.

Supporters who had not bought tickets in advance were also able to buy tickets from the kiosks.

Police and stewards eventually decided to allow some fans - who were still standing in the queue 20 minutes after the match had started - into the ground without tickets.

However, some were forced to watch the match from the west s ... Read more »

Monday, 24 Mar 2008

Scotland National Team Coach George Burley today confirmed that the Scotland A Squad will play Tennent’s International Challenge Matches against the Czech Republic and Northern Ireland later this year.

The match against the Czechs – currently 6th in the FIFA Rankings – will take place on Friday 30 May 2008 in Prague. We will then welcome Northern Ireland to Hampden on Wednesday 20 August 2008.

Both matches will be excellent tests for the team as we continue to build towards the 2010 World Cup Qualifying Campaign. Details about tickets for both matches will be made available in due course.

George Burley is hoping Wednesday's match against Croatia can help go a long way to help prepare for the first World Cup qualifier in September.

The Scotland boss has two more games before taking on Macedonia and feels Croatia will provide a stern test.

"Croatia are an excellent side and one of the world's top-ranked nations," said Burley.

"It'll be a tough game, but it's about getting a feel of the squad and working to get it right for September."

Burley will fine tune his line-up with friendly matches against the Czech Republic in Prague on 30 May and Northern Ireland at Hampden Park on 20 August.

"That gives us a tough away game and then a home game before our World Cup qualifiers start against Macedonia in Skopje," he said.
Scotland's support for friendlies is among the best anywhwere

"But, on Wednesday, I'm looking for a good performance - that's always been the key - and, if we perform right, we could get a good result.

"We had a good training s ... Read more »

Scotland manager George Burley has given call-ups to Hearts defender Christophe Berra and Hibernian striker Steven Fletcher in his first squad.

Sunderland's Russell Anderson has also been recalled for the friendly match at home to Croatia on Wednesday 26 March.

Rangers' veteran defender David Weir has been left out because of his club's busy domestic schedule.

"I think with a friendly game we can give him a little break and look at other players," said Burley.

Interview: Scotland manager George Burley

Weir won his 61st cap in the Euro 2008 qualifier against Italy in November.

And Burley indicated that there was every chance of the 37-year-old adding to that tally.

"It is fairly clear with the amount of games Davie has played this season and his age, he has done incredibly well," said the manager.

"But to ask him to play another game (w ... Read more »

Scotland have been invited to play Iran in a friendly in Tehran in the summer, the Scottish FA has confirmed.

If the game goes ahead, George Burley's side will play Iran on 28 May - the week after the Scottish Cup final is played at Hampden.

The SFA is considering the offer and is consulting the Foreign Office about the safety issues surrounding the trip.

The invitation will trigger memories of the sides' only meeting when they drew 1-1 at the 1978 World Cup in Argentina.

World football's governing body Fifa officially lifted its ban on Iran playing international football in December 2006.

Fifa originally suspended Iran because of excessive government interference.

Butcher and Pressley join Scots
George Burley flanked by Terry Butcher (left) and Steven Pressley
Burley has chosen Butcher (left) and Pressley as his assistants
Terry Butcher and Steven Pressley have been confirmed as assistants to new Scotland manager George Burley.

Former England captain Butcher was a team-mate of Burley's at Ipswich, while Pressley skippered Hearts during Burley's short reign at Tynecastle.

Pressley insists he can add to his 32 caps but the Celtic defender has been used sparingly this season.

He was not listed for this week's squad gathering at Loch Lomond but Burley will monitor Pressley's progress.

"He'll be considered if he's playing regularly for his club and at a good level," said Burley of the 34-year-old.

Rangers defender David Weir, three years older than Pressley, is among the 27-man pool assembled by Burley on Sunday for a three-day get-together.

There were no new faces but Burley insists he will tinker with hi ... Read more »

George Burley wants the friendly played at a later date

Scotland will not face England in a friendly this summer, the Scottish FA has confirmed.

The Auld Enemy were expected to meet in May, but it has been ruled out by Scotland manager George Burley.

Celtic and Rangers players may be unavailable for international duty due to club trips in the close season.

... Read more »

Butcher will join the Scotland set-up - Pressley may follow

Former England captain Terry Butcher has agreed to become part of Scotland manager George Burley's coaching staff.

Butcher, 49, is finalising the details of his contract to assist Burley, and will join up with the squad for their gathering in February.

The 77-times capped Butcher held talks on Monda ... Read more »

... Read more »

Burley has been struggling with finances at Southampton

Southampton's George Burley will be offered the Scotland manager's job on Wednesday, BBC Sport understands.

A Scottish Football Association spokesman would only confirm that its interview panel had decided on a preferred candidate.

And its board will be asked to ratify the decision on Wednesday.

... Read more »