It should have been George Burley’s chance to set the record straight about Kris Boyd’s decision to stop playing for Scotland.
Instead, it turned into the latest shambolic performance of Burley’s tenure as national team manager, with the 52-year-old clearly rattled by the questioning. It ended with much waving of hands and a swift exit from the media room at the national stadium.
Boyd left a message on Burley’s telephone on Saturday night telling him he no longer wanted to be considered for selection during the mana-ger’s tenure.
He made the decision after spending the entire World Cup qualifier against Norway on the bench.
The 25-year-old feels he has not been given a fair chance, having played just 28 minutes of six games since the appointment of the former Ips-wich, Hearts and Southampton manager in January.
But Burley tried to rally at Hampden yesterday, insisting Boyd should have put his grievances to one side for the sake of his country, asking him: “How much do you care?”
The manager’s performance matched that of his team on Saturday. Listless, without much life or conviction, and far from impressive. He said: “For me, it’s important players show commitment and passion. There are areas where you may be upset but it’s your country. At club sides you might move on but this is your country you’re talking about.
“As far as I’m concerned, I only want people who are totally committed to their country. It’s not about George Burley, it’s not about Kris Boyd – it’s about Scotland. That’s the only thing that really matters.
“I’ve never had a cross word with Kris. They come in, they stay in five-star hotels and, in this day and age, they have massive wages. How much do you care? You don’t need to like everybody. This is your country.
“The only way Kris Boyd is going to get in the team is playing regularly, showing what he can do, coming to the squad and being lively and bright and looking better than the other strikers.
“That’s the way you get in the team. You’ve got to show that passion and if you don’t want to show it and you make that decision and you want to step out, fine.
“We have big games coming up. People might think we are out of it (the World Cup qualifying reckoning) but we’re not, we are in second position. But we need people willing to fight for the cause, go to war for the country.”
Burley stood by his decision to deploy inexperienced duo Steven Fletcher and Chris Iwelumo, with one cap between them and both making their competitive debuts, as second-half substitutes against Norway, leaving Boyd on the bench as Scotland desperately chased a win. He also pointed out the Rangers forward is also used sparingly at club level by Walter Smith which he believes proves his point about Boyd still having to prove himself despite an impressive scoring record for both club and country.
“Kris is at Rangers and Walter Smith, for me, is one of the best managers in Britain,” said Burley. “In the last year, he hasn’t been a regular. That tells you there is maybe something that’s not right.
“I’m sure Kris now wants to concentrate on club football, he wants to get a regular place at Rangers, and that’s the way he will show everybody what he can do.
“Every player has got their strengths and weaknesses but, as a manager, you have to choose what is right for you.
“There are elements of his game he has to improve on, he knows that. Otherwise, he would be playing every week, but there is competition there and you need to be on top of your game.
“I made the decision, which I still feel was right.”
Burley indicated the door was not necessarily closed on Boyd making a dramatic return as he tried to make his own way to the exit from the press conference.
Clearly flustered, Burley added: “He has made the decision, I’ve not made the decision. If he is totally committed then that’s what the country needs.”
Boyd’s stance follows Lee McCulloch’s decision to end his Scotland career for family reasons last month and reports suggested more players could be poised to quit the national team.
“I want the players in my squad to be totally committed,” said Burley.