Suddenly, George Burley finds himself putting out fires on various fronts as he prepares to lead Scotland against Iceland in Reykjavik tomorrow night. Yesterday the embattled Scotland manager had to defend himself once more following Saturday's World Cup qualifying defeat by Macedonia, as well as explain away Lee McCulloch's sudden decision to retire from international football.

Some will argue that, in his current state - unfit and off form - the Rangers striker may be no huge loss to the current Scotland cause. But there is mischief and menace afoot around Burley, and it took not just the Scotland manager himself, but also an impassioned Darren Fletcher, to vehemently defend the current set-up.

To add to Burley's woes, Kenny Miller is struggling with injury and may not be fit in time to face Iceland. That fact, however, was well down the list of required public pronouncements from Burley yesterday.

In an increasingly febrile atmosphere around Scotland, some are even suggesting that Burley's job should be on the line after just one competitive match. It was a position the Scotland manager sought to dispute.

“It's difficult to qualify for a major championship but that's what we're trying to do,” Burley said. “When I took this job people were saying ‘support the new manager, give him everything' and let's get a bit of continuity. But I know that in football things change very quickly. The only way things change quickly is by getting results.

“It's a new experience for me. I'm working for my country and I said when I took the job that I'll give it everything I've got. It's a learning curve but I'm certainly not downbeat. I'm going to work as best I can for my country and for the players.

“I've been a manager for 18 years now and I was brought up with certain ideas. I've always worked with players and with the idea of passing the ball to win matches. But in international football it's difficult to win games. I didn't think we were a million miles away against Macedonia.

“I'm not one to throw the towel in and be downcast about it. We stand up, stick our chests out and go and try to win the next game. That's exactly how the players feel and that's what we'll try to do on Wednesday.

“I'm very focused to try and get it right. I was honoured to be given this job and it's something I'm going to keep working as hard as I can at. I can't influence what people write, but football has changed, it's a pressure job. You can't be distracted and the players can't be distracted.” There is a feeling of mild siege developing around Scotland, which prompted Fletcher to come out yesterday and publicly defend his manager. Some Scotland players are allegedly suggesting that they don't have faith in Burley's methods. It was a notion which didn't just rile the Manchester United midfield player, but which he disputed.

“That's a total misrepresentation,” Fletcher said. “I've not seen any quotes, and I'm really disheartened to hear that. I don't know what's been said. But if there are players in this camp that are going behind the backs of the players and manager and saying stuff like that, then that's wrong. If they've got problems they should be up front, like everyone else with this squad.

“Obviously it's come from somewhere, and it's not just going to be made up - unless it has been. But it doesn't ring true to me or the rest of the squad. George has got the players' backing, especially from me and from any players I've spoken to. You can see the effort he's putting in. He's trying to take us to the next level. He's trying to make us more expansive. He's trying to make us a more attacking side. And that's not going to happen overnight.

“George is passionate, enthusiastic and good to play for. He wants you to go and express yourself. He does in-depth analysis on teams. His knowledge is very good and the same will be the case in Iceland. His preparation is first class.”

Over McCulloch's mysterious retirement from Scotland, some further explaining was required. It transpires that the Rangers player chose last week to decree that he would no longer represent Scotland, and informed Richard Simpson at the SFA of his decision. Simpson, in turn, chose not to inform Burley of McCulloch's decision until the Macedonia match was over.

“I was surprised, because I've got no problem with Lee, who is a very good player,” Burley said. “I've selected him for squads and he hasn't played because of injury. I couldn't have picked him for this squad because he is injured. I'll have a chat with Lee but I haven't got a problem with him.”

I haven't spoken to him at all. I've elected him before but the boy is injured. It would be nice to know what the problem is.”