BURLEY A CHRISTIAN FOLLOWER; CIS CUP FINAL: 5 DAYS TO GO.Byline: By Hugh Keevins GEORGE BURLEY bur·ley n. pl. bur·leys A light-colored tobacco grown chiefly in Kentucky and used especially in making cigarettes. [Probably from the name Burley.] yesterday admitted Christian Dailly's form with Rangers is a major bonus for his Scotland plans. The national team boss will include the 34-year-old in his first squad selection for the friendly with Croatia at Hampden on March 26. Their relationship has come full circle since Burley first saw Dailly in action as a 16-year-old centre-forward in Dundee United's reserve team. Such was his admiration for the versatile player that he eventually signed him on loan for Southampton from West Ham Coordinates: West Ham is a district in the London Borough of Newham, in east London, England, located 6.1 miles (9.8 km) east of Charing Cross. From 1889 to 1965 it formed part of the County Borough of West Ham. . And when Dailly was looking for advice in January on what to do about his immediate future, Burley suggested he take his vast experience to Rangers until the end of the season. Reached Dailly has become an important member of Walter Smith's squad as it battles for trophies on four fronts. Burley watched him play in midfield in the 2-0 UEFA UEFA Union of European Football Associations UEFA n abbr (= Union of European Football Associations) → U.E.F.A. Cup win over Werder Bremen and in a central-defensive role in Sunday's 1-0 Scottish Cup The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup[1], usually known as the Scottish Cup, is the national cup knockout competition in Scottish football. The trophy awarded to the winners has the distinction of being the oldest national trophy in the world. win over Hibs. The Scotland boss said: "There are some players who, having reached the age of 34, might be thought to be in the twilight of their careers. But Christian's fitness has always been first class because he's looked after himself so well. "He was outstanding against Hibs because of his desire and passion. It's a bonus for me as Scotland manager to find him doing so well for Rangers. "We had our get-together at Loch Lomond Loch Lomond (IPA pronunciation: ['lomənd]), (Scottish Gaelic Loch Laomainn) is a Scottish loch, located in both the western lowlands of Central Scotland and the southern Highlands. and he came to me on the Monday night and said, 'Would you mind if I played for Rangers' reserves tomorrow because I need to build up my fitness?' "That proved to me his appetite for the game is unaffected by age. "After I left Southampton, Christian kept in touch with me for advice while he waited to see what would happen next for him at West Ham. I told him going to Rangers would be a great move for him." Burley will have talks with Rangers boss Smith and Celtic's Gordon Strachan about the availability of players for the Croatia game, which is three days before an Old Firm clash. Burley wants to assess players before the first World Cup qualifier against Macedonia in September. He said: "I'll be asking for any many Old Firm players as I can get. But there won't be a lot of changes from the squad that did so well in the Euro 2008 qualifiers." CAPTION(S): FULL BACKING: George Burley launches BT sponsorship |
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