SCOTLAND boss George Burley faced the media after last night's 2-1 win over Iceland kept the South Africa 2010 dream alive.

But after the lock-in at Loch Lomond which saw skipper Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor axed to the bench for going on a marathon drinking session, there was only one topic he was going to be grilled on.

RONNIE CULLY of SportTimes was there to see Burley's reaction to booze-gate....

Q: It's been a very hard week for you and you've had a lot of very difficult decisions to make. Is tonight more of a relief than anything else?

GB: "It was about getting the three points. You have got to make decisions, pick the team, pick the formation, pick the squad and you hope it works out right.

"You have got to be bold. Tonight wasn't a night to be cautious. I said that beforehand, and I think it paid off."

Q: With regard to the whole McGregor/Fereguson incident, do you have a lot of thinking to do looking forward to the next game and whether or not they will be involved?

GB: "That's gone, that's done. We've talked about that. We move on.

"The most important thing was the squad was all together, which they were.

"We're looking forward to some big games.

"I thought there were a lot of good combinations in midfield and in wide areas tonight, and I think that's very encouraging for the future."

Q: Is it a clean slate now for both of them?

GB: "Yes, we move on. Gone."

Q: Quite a lot of fans admired the stance you took over Ferguson and McGregor. But they found it a bit strange they were then on the subs' bench. What was your thinking?

GB: "I named the squad. There's a lot of things involved.

"The most important thing for Scotland tonight was three points, and that's what we got."

Q: Would they have been on the bench if you had had a full squad available?

GB: "As I said, I named the squad, I picked the team, I made choices, end of story."

Q: We were told that last night the two players had been told to leave the team hotel. They came back to apologise. So, at one point they were leaving the hotel then ended up on the bench. Can you clarify the chain of events that made that happen?

GB: "The team was picked for the sake of the squad. End of story."

Q: Do you think it was wise to give the players the option of having a drink after the game on Saturday when they were three days away from a World Cup qualifier?

GB: "As I say, things have happened, and it's dealt with.

"After a game they might have an odd drink, whatever.

"But all I am here to talk about is the game."

Q: Will Barry and Allan be considered for future squads?

GB: "They are in the squad, so nothing changes."

Q: How did you feel the balance of your team was without Ferguson in the middle of the park?

GB: "I thought the balance of the teams was exceptional. I thought Brown and Fletcher did very well together.

"I thought Morrison and Hutton, especially in the first half, were great, McCormack, Naysmith backing them up. I was very pleased with the balance of the side."

Q: How would you describe the state now of your relationship with Barry Ferguson?

GB: "No problem. I haven't got any problem. The most important thing was the squad, and we kept them all together because the squad wanted it."

Q: Do you believe your captain showed you a lack of respect just days before a qualifier, and how do you feel it is possible for him to carry on as captain?

GB: "As I said, I got the squad together, they produced the goods. That's the most important thing.

"Forget the other issues, that will get dealt with."

Q: If Barry or Allan's form remains reasonably good, do you see no reason why they shouldn't play for you, play for Scotland, again?

GB: "No reason at all." Games to play

June 6: Iceland v Holland, Macedonia v Norway. June 10: Macedonia v Iceland, Holland v Norway. Aug 12: Norway v Scotland. Sep 5: Scotland v Macedonia, Iceland v Norway. Sep 9: Scotland v Holland, Norway v Macedonia.