Scotland manager George Burley has backed Alan Hutton to become the best full-back in Europe.
High praise from new Scotland boss
Scotland manager George Burley has backed Alan Hutton to become the best full-back in Europe.
Hutton left Rangers to join Tottenham during the January transfer window and his new national team coach believes that the sheer competition for places at White Hart Lane will help him to become a better player.
Burley should know a thing or two about attacking right-backs as well, having been one himself during his playing days at Ipswich, and is adamant that Hutton has the potential to make a real impact on the European stage.
Difficult league
"I saw Alan against St Mirren (for Rangers) about two weeks ago and you could see his attributes then," Burley told the Evening Standard.
"He has the capability to be one of the best attacking full-backs in European football.
"I think, with the competition he will face at Tottenham, that will really push him on. The Premiership in England is a very difficult league, so I think it will be a big challenge for him.
"He thought long and hard about the move but I believe it will be a good one for him as a player."
Team spirit
Hutton's move to Spurs was the third high profile move by a Scot this season, following Craig Gordon's £9million move to Sunderland and James McFadden's £5million switch to Birmingham, an encouraging sign for a country which had seen their numbers dwindle in the English top-flight.
"That is great," Burley said, "but the biggest quality Scotland has is team spirit.
"We have good individuals. Some other countries have better individuals, but where we really stand out is that spirit. It's something we'll be concentrating on."
