BURLEY: WEIR NOT TREADING WATER

Weir - will face Northern Ireland.

George Burley has told David Weir he can still make his mark in the World Cup campaign despite being left out of the Scotland manager's first three squads.

Weir won a late call-up for Wednesday night's friendly against Northern Ireland after Gary Caldwell withdrew because of a thigh injury.

The 38-year-old had been omitted for a third time as Burley planned to start with Celtic pair Stephen McManus and Caldwell at Hampden.

But his inclusion gives him the chance to stake his claim for next month's double header against Macedonia and Iceland.

"We've got to look beyond David in the next year or so, he's 38 and he's done absolutely magnificently," Burley said.

"Gary Caldwell has come in with Stephen McManus and has done great.

"But before I announced the squad, I spoke to David and told him he was very much in my plans for the World Cup but I didn't feel it was right bringing him in and sitting him on the bench.

"He's got a family down south but as soon as Gary got injured, I had no hesitation in bringing David in.

"You need more than two centre-halves and we're fortunate that David is still fit and playing for Rangers so he'll be a vital part of the squad.

"He wants to play. If he plays against Macedonia, he's in pole position for the next one and that's what competition is all about.

"Caldwell and McManus would have been playing but Gary's injured and David will be playing."

Burley is without captain Barry Ferguson for the opening World Cup qualifiers and he admits Tottenham right-back Alan Hutton's chances of overcoming a foot injury by early next month are "less than 50-50".

Paul Hartley is also out of tonight's game as Burley tries to get his starting line-up as close as possible to the one that will begin in Skopje on September 6.

But he is relieved finally to be able to pair James McFadden with Kenny Miller up front.

"In training, they are combining well together," the former Hearts and Ipswich manager said.

"He (McFadden) can change, you can play him through the middle, you can play him left.

"He's a player who can adjust depending on your tactics.

"James is a player who can do more than just stand up front; he can drop off, he can drop wide.

"You adjust the tactics when you lose the ball but when you win the ball, you want that threat going forward. You want James going through the middle attacking defences.

"There aren't any easy games and players have got to show on a regular basis that they can hit form and James has done that at international level.

"As an international manager, I'm happy when they're playing.

"If it works well, you take it on to the World Cup against Macedonia.

"If it doesn't look well, we might need to have a re-think but hopefully, if it works well, you can progress it.

"We're trying to get the best out of McFadden but he's got to perform as well as he can do.

"If individuals perform well, they'll keep their places."