History of the Scotland national football team left Scotland managerless with just over two months until the next matches against Georgia and Italy. Former Rangers manager Alex McLeish was hotly tipped and supported by Alex Ferguson to become the new manager, although long-term Scotland assistant manager Tommy Burns was also thought to be in the running. McLeish was appointed while Burns was not even approached, which caused Burns to resign from his position. Alex McLeish was appointed Scotland manager on 29 January 2007, and he hired Roy Aitken and Andy Watson as his assistants. McLeish's first match in charge was a UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier against Georgia
Darren Burns (rugby union) Darren Burns (rugby union) Darren Burns (born 8 March 1973 in Biggar, Scotland) is a former Scotland A and Scotland 7s international rugby union player who played for Glasgow Warriors. He played in the Lock position. Burns signed for Glasgow Warriors from Edinburgh Rugby in 1999. He was one of the original intake of 36 professional players who were signed by the SRU, and he played for Edinburgh Rugby from 1996. At amateur level, Burns played for Boroughmuir RFC, Biggar RFC and Watsonians At international level Burns played for Scotland 7s and also played for the Scotland A and Scotland