The chief executive of the SFA has insisted the Scotland manager's position is safe regardless of Saturday's result against Norway. "His position is under no threat at all," said Gordon Smith. "What happens against Norway will have no bearing on George's situation."

"I also don't think that the board are judged in relation to George's situation, either, and my role is not wrapped up in results on the field."

Smith is determined to kill the speculation over Burley's future.

"It's funny because he seems to be getting judged game by game - he was bad after Macedonia and then good after Iceland," the chief executive added. "I was involved in the due diligence process and from those discussions, and what he has done so far, he is a manager who knows what is going on."