GROUP NINE: THE SCOTTISH Football Association has promised a "measured and considered reflection" on George Burley's failure to reach the World Cup finals as Scotland players appealed for the beleaguered manager to be given time to prove his worth.

Burley, who is under contract for the European Championship qualifying campaign, will discover the price of missing out on South Africa at a meeting next week with the SFA president, George Peat. Both Peat and the chief executive, Gordon Smith, had made clear their discontent with the World Cup campaign before the final two qualifiers, against Macedonia and the Netherlands, and are likely to seek change after defeat on Wednesday cost Burley a shot at redemption via the play-offs.

Burley hopes to remain in the post despite a barrage of criticism and a series of problems since he replaced Alex McLeish in January 2008. He has repeatedly called for the SFA to review the development of the game given the dearth of talent coming through and the failure to qualify for a major tournament since the 1998 World Cup.

Smith, who was “terribly disappointed” with Scotland’s failure, admitted the SFA is encouraged by recent performances at Hampden but had to assess the entire campaign.

“There will be discussions with George Burley next week to review the campaign,” he said.

Scotland midfielder Paul Hartley believes the SFA should also consider its part in putting the heat on Burley, with, for example, Peat’s criticism of results and the striker Chris Iwelumo last week a prime example.

"You have to try to back the manager to the full. We don't need comments before games," he said. "It probably upsets other people. It doesn't upset the players, but you don't need comments like that before such big games. We have to stick by the manager, give him a fair crack of the whip. You don't want to keep changing. You want someone there for the long term." Guardian Service