Burns: Changes unlikely for Scotland

Scotland assistant manager Tommy Burns has hinted at few changes in the team for the World Cup qualifier against Belarus tomorrow.

Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson appears to have come through an injury scare over a hamstring problem.

The Scotland number two also claims Wigan striker Lee McCulloch will not need a pain-killing injection on his knee injury.

Wolves defender Jackie McNamara looks set to be the only absentee from the team which played against Italy and Norway last month, while Everton’s James McFadden is suspended for the game tomorrow.

But, after claiming four points from six against Italy and Norway last month, the former Celtic boss does not envisage any changes to Walter Smith’s starting line-up.

Burns told BBC Scotland: “Looking at it over the last few games, the team has - more or less – picked itself. So I think people can look forward to more of the same.

“I don’t think Lee will have to take any kind of pain-killing injection. He trained yesterday and came through that fine. Lee is 100% fit and available for selection.”

But Smith and Burns will preaching caution at Hampden Park against Belarus.

Scotland need to win tomorrow and in Slovenia next week, while hoping Norway drop points, to claim a play -off place.

Burns added: “They gave us a bit of a going-over in Minsk and it was an heroic performance from our lads.

“They are a team which is very good from middle to front. That is especially dangerous when you are playing at home, because there is always the possibility of being too gung-ho, throwing too many people forward and getting too carried away with the crowd.

“So we have to be very careful we don’t get caught with a sucker punch.”