Do we miss Mr Burley?

Marek misses him...

Marek Saganowski: George Burley will work wonders for Scotland
Sep 13 2008 By Craig Swan

MAREK SAGANOWSKI gawped in admiration as George Burley brought suffering Southampton to life and led them to the brink of the English Premiership - and insists he'll make a similar impact as Scotland boss.

Aalborg's on-loan Polish hitman will be in this country on Wednesday to represent his club in the Champions League against Celtic.

Saganowski is entering a nation which has harboured doubts over Burley's ability to drive Scotland on to their World Cup finals dream. Last weekend, his stock dropped after the loss in Macedonia.

Spirits have been lifted by the midweek triumph in Iceland but the redemption in Reykjavik has not cleared all detractors from the scene and Burley still has much to prove to the Tartan Army.

Saganowski, though, can't understand the fuss and reckons his old gaffer is perfect for the national team.

The Pole and Burley teamed up to drive Southampton to the Championship play-offs a couple of seasons ago before their dreams of an appearance in the top-flight were cruelly dashed by Billy Davies' Preston.

Burley took the striker to St Mary's from French outfit Troyes 20 months ago and Saganowski lit up Saints' campaign with 10 goals in 13 games in that charge to the play-offs.

Sadly, a penalty shoot-out defeat by Davies' North End ended the dream but that didn't stop Saganowski, who is still officially a Southampton player, gaining an enormous respect for the Scotland manager.

He said: "It would be good news if George comes to the Champions League game. I would like to see him again and I would like to speak with him.

"I know George very well and he is a very, very good manager.

"You can see the things he did with Southampton when he was the manager there.

"We played great football and we made it to the play-offs for the English Premier League. That was a great time for me.

"You can see that results at the club have not been as good since that spell and I have no doubt he can be a very good Scotland manager. "I am surprised to hear some people do not think he can be a good manager. In my experience, I am sure of it."

Sour grapes because he couldn't get into the team me thinks.