Burley´s Scots given World Cup qualifier boost

Scotland manager George Burley’s wish was granted on Saturday as the Scottish Premier League agreed to postpone the start of next season until August 15.

Burley had pleaded for the kick-off of the 2009-10 campaign to be put back by a week to give him more time to prepare for the August 12 World Cup qualifier in Norway.

Following talks between SPL secretary Iain Blair and Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith on Thursday, the SPL board decided to give Burley’s request the green light.

The board reached their decision despite no guarantee from the Scottish FA that they would move next season’s Scottish Cup semi-finals from a weekend to a midweek date.

The SPL said in a statement: “The SPL board today (Saturday) announced that next season will kick off on August 15, 2009.

“This meets George Burley’s request, formally made on Wednesday, for a clear weekend ahead of the Norway v Scotland match on August 12.

“Facing a late start and an early end to the season because of the World Cup, we asked the SFA for a firm commitment to move the Scottish Cup semi-finals to a midweek.

“This would have provided certainty in giving a clear weekend to play a round of league matches and helped our teams with European commitments.”

Burley was relieved to get his way and said: “I’m absolutely delighted that an agreement has been reached on the start date of next season.

“This gives me time to prepare the boys properly for the crucial match in Norway and means that the first game of the season – which is always played at 100 miles an hour – will not now take place a few days before we head to Oslo.

“My thanks to the SPL for finding a solution to this, which I know has not been easy.

“This gives us a real chance to take the country to the World Cup.”

An SFA spokesman added: “The Scottish FA is very happy with the outcome of the negotiations and are satisfied that every step was taken by everyone involved to find a workable solution to a difficult problem.

“Should it be required, we are prepared to move the Scottish Cup semi-final dates to a midweek.

“This is not a decision that we would take lightly. But, as is only right and proper, we feel that the interests of the national team should be paramount.

“We have a real chance to make it to South Africa – we are delighted that everyone is working towards that goal.”