Best Laid Plans...

Last updated : 27 April 2009 By Ed_ScottishFitba

More than one person was disappointed in how the SPL post-split fixtures were arranged. Scotland manager George Burley plans for a 'B' international against Northern Ireland have been dealt a blow due to the lack of available players due to fixture clashes. Scotland are to welcome Northern Ireland to Broadwood on Wednesday, 6 May but Burley will not be able to pick any players from the top six clubs in the SPL. The national team manager had already agreed not to pick Celtic or Rangers players for the international, with the final Old Firm derby taking place on May 9. With the Edinburgh Derby lined up for Thursday 7 May along with Dundee United hosting Aberdeen Burley has been denied access to the core of his team..

Burley said: "
I think communication is very important when you are arranging fixtures and that's why I'm miffed about this situation. It was bad enough when I found out there was an Edinburgh derby to contend with, but now there's a Dundee United and Aberdeen match too. I would have been looking to select players from those four clubs but now I can't. This B international is a perfect opportunity to have a look at some different players. I'm sure the managers of these SPL clubs would be happy to see their players given this kind of recognition but now we have to look elsewhere, probably to England. All I can do is see who is available and take it from there but I am not going to be able to select the players that I would have wanted in the squad for the Northern Ireland game."

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