“Scott certainly didn’t let Celtic down and I feel he is playing well. He is in my plans.

“The only reason Barry Robson is not in the starting line-up is because Celtic have alternatives who are top-class players.”

Burley was thrilled for striker Kenny Miller after he got off the mark for Rangers with a brace against his old club, and the Scotland boss paid tribute to the 28-year-old’s mental toughness.

Miller had come under fire from all angles before the Parkhead showdown, but finally looks to have won the Ibrox support round.

Burley said: “It’s great to see that people in your squad are bang in form.

“Kenny has matured as a player and as a person over the past few years and showed his strength on the big occasion. He has done that for Scotland in the past as well.

“There was a lot of pressure on him when he went back to Rangers and then in going to Parkhead.

“However, Kenny can handle that and has shown he can do it in the Old Firm arena. There were a lot of Scottish players involved in that match, which was great to see, and there was a lot of good football played in what was a terrific game.

“You are always watching with your fingers crossed when you have players involved, but it’s good that a number of them are playing with the two top clubs.”

Burley linked up with his squad last night as he prepares for Saturday’s World Cup qualifying curtain-raiser in Macedonia.

He’ll lead his men into a furnace with afternoon temperatures set to top 100 degrees, but insists nothing will be allowed to take the players’ minds off the job in hand.

Burley said: “It is likely to be very hot but that’s just something you have to cope with. We are not going to make excuses over the heat, the surface or injuries. We have eight games to qualify for the World Cup and that’s what we are focused on.

“We are going to come up against some excellent teams and they’ll all have different styles of play. We simply have to plan accordingly.”

Scotland fly to Skopje on Friday and will only have time for a quick look at the Gradski Stadium pitch and a light limbering-up session.

Burley said: “In that heat, I don’t think it would be beneficial doing much training at all.

“As for the game, we have to make sure we are well hydrated and sensible about the way we play.

“We’re not going to play the way we would do in the British climate. We must keep the ball and pass it well. We can’t go chasing the ball individually all over the pitch. We must work as a unit. However, we have players who have operated in the Champions League and I am sure we can adapt.”

David Weir is the only player in the squad who has been to the finals of a World Cup and the manager is well aware of the inexperience in his camp.

Burley, speaking at a fans forum organised by Nationwide Building Society, added: “You can say they are novices but that can be a good thing as well. I don’t expect there to be any fear within the squad and we just need to have belief.

“The reason I took over Scotland is because I wanted these games. The thought of taking your national team to the World Cup finals gives me a thrill and I’ll try everything to make sure that happens.

“It’s a big challenge and it’s one I’m looking forward to.”