Burley to axe mind guru Way; EXCLUSIVE.

Byline: MARK GUIDI

GEORGE BURLEY has ditched plans to bring in a sports psychologist for next month's vital double header against Macedonia and Holland.

The Scotland boss used mind guru Ken Way in the build-up to the humiliating 4-0 defeat to Norway in Oslo and planned to use him again to help save our World Cup dream.

Way tried to boost the players' confidence by showing them the profiles of top stars such as Tiger Woods.

But MailSport understands the Scotland squad didn't agree with the manager's decision to bring in Way, a former British windsurfing champion.

Most of the players failed to see the benefit of it. And Way's pep talk couldn't stop Burley's side crashing to the defeat that left their World Cup hopes hanging by a thread.

Burley rates Way highly. He hired him at Ipswich a decade ago and he helped the Portman Road club to a successful period.

The boss wanted to have Way join the squad at Cameron House in the build-up to the Macedonia match on September 5 but has decided to ditch the psychologist after listening to the players' views.

Meanwhile, Hampden chiefs have moved to reassure fans the pitch at the National Stadium will be in tip-top condition for the two remaining Group 9 games.

The surface was damaged by last week's U2 gig and workers will today begin ripping up the turf to re-lay the pitch.

Hampden Park Ltd managing director David Kells said: "There should be no concerns over the state of the pitch. We will start re-laying it on Sunday and it will be ready in plenty of time."

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Burley: Boss psyched out