George Burley: The highs and lows

George Burley was sacked by the Scottish Football Association today following 22 months as Scotland manager. Here we document his highs and lows in the job.

HIGH

March 26, 2008: Encouraging start sees Burley oversee a 1-1 friendly draw with Croatia at Hampden.

LOW

September 6: Scotland lose 1-0 to Macedonia in their opening World Cup qualifier despite having 85 minutes to find an equaliser.

LOW

September 8: Rangers forward Lee McCulloch rings Burley to inform him he is retiring from international football.

HIGH

September 9: Burley records his first win in charge at the fifth attempt, with a 2-1 World Cup qualifying victory in Iceland. Kirk Broadfoot nets the opener after Burley described his ability as "limited".

LOW

October 11: Scotland are held to a goalless draw in their vital qualifier against Norway, substitute Chris Iwelumo missing an open goal.

LOW

October 12: Kris Boyd announces he will not play for Scotland again while Burley is in charge, having completed only 28 minutes of action under him.

LOW

December 4: The Scottish Football Association admit defeat in their bid to get their World Cup qualifier in Norway moved from August to October 2009. Burley wanted the fixture put back because he feared playing such a potentially-decisive game so soon after pre-season.

LOW

March 29: Burley wakes up to a crisis following the 3-0 qualifying defeat in Holland with skipper Barry Ferguson and goalkeeper Allan McGregor leading a lengthy drinking session until lunchtime.

HIGH

April 1: Scotland beat Iceland 2-1 without dropped pair Ferguson and McGregor, whose indiscretions had made front-page headlines on the morning of the qualifier.

LOW

April 2: More bad news awaits Burley as photographs show Ferguson and McGregor making obscene gestures while sitting on the Hampden bench. The Rangers pair are soon banned from the national team.

LOW

August 12: Scotland are thrashed 4-0 by Norway in Oslo to leave their World Cup hopes in major doubt.

HIGH

September 5: Scotland take their campaign to the final game after a superb solo goal from James McFadden seals a 2-0 win over Macedonia at Hampden.

LOW

September 9: Scotland's World Cup hopes end with a late 1-0 defeat by Holland at Hampden, which consigns them to third place.

HIGH

September 15: The SFA hand Burley their "full backing" following a review of the qualifying campaign.

LOW

November 14: Scotland are beaten 3-0 by an inexperienced Wales team in a Cardiff friendly as the Tartan Army turn on Burley.

LOW

November 16: The SFA confirm Burley's reign has come to an end.