Butcher could join Scots set-up

[devonbee]

Former England captain Terry Butcher could join new Scotland manager George Burley's backroom staff.
Butcher confirmed that he has had initial talks with Burley but did not wish to comment further.

But Scottish FA chief executive Gordon Smith told BBC Radio Scotland: "That could be a possibility as George can bring in two people to help him.

"The coaches would be part-time and George will tell us next week who he wants to bring in."


Interview: SFA chief executive Gordon Smith

The friendship of Burley and Butcher, who won 77 caps for England, goes back to their days as Ipswich players.




Butcher, who first moved to Scotland to play for Rangers, had a four-year spell as manager of Motherwell.

It is a great job being on the staff when you're not in the firing line

Former Scotland manager Craig Brown

And Smith insists that the nationality of Burley's backroom staff is immaterial.

"George hasn't said yet who he is going to bring in," he said.

"If there was a complaint about George not living much in Scotland then that certainly can't be levelled at Terry because, apart from his stint in Australia and a little time down at Brentford, Terry spends all his time in Scotland."

Former Scotland manager Craig Brown admits that he would be interested in assisting Burley.

"Who would refuse to work for his country?" he said.

"I do confess I have had my time and everybody has a shelf life, but an opportunity like that would be fantastic.

"I loved it in a short spell at Derby just out the limelight when I let Billy Davies take all the press conference, all the flak, all the plaudits.




"It is a great job being on the staff when you're not in the firing line."

Burley was appointed on Thursday, having been chosen ahead of Graeme Souness, Mark McGhee and Tommy Burns.

And Smith again raised the possibility of a match against England being one of the new manager's first friendly matches in charge of Scotland.

"That's a potential match, because the English have indicated to us that they have put some thought into it in a positive manner," said the SFA chief executive.

"So it's something that might need a call to the FA in the coming days."