CHRIS BURKE has handed Alex McLeish a boost by declaring himself fit for the Euro 2008 double header with Georgia and Italy.

The Rangers winger looked like missing out on his ex-manager's international debut with an ankle injury.

Burke hobbled off just 13 minutes into the 3-0 won over Aberdeen on Saturday and was replaced by Nacho Novo - raising fears that he could be forced to withdraw from the squad.

However, the Ibrox medical team say Burke, who has two caps, will be fit to join Rangers team mates Allan McGregor, Davie Weir, Barry Ferguson and Kris Boyd.

McLeish has plenty on his plate as he follows the path set by Walter Smith, but he is up to the task, according to Graeme Souness.

"You're looking to beat Georgia and not get beaten in Italy, which will be a tall order," Souness said.

"In taking on Italy, you've got to understand we're playing a team that won the World Cup less than a year ago.

"People talk about the Italian game being in crisis, but they still have some fantastic individuals.

"Alex has a very hard act to follow. He has taken over just after Walter managed to restore credibility to Scottish football, and he deserves a great deal of credit for that.

"I think Walter would be the first to say he enjoyed a fair bit of luck - I'm thinking of the France game.

"But Alex is a good man, first class. He was a very successful Rangers manager, and as a player had a never-say-die attitude. I certainly enjoyed playing alongside him.

"If you are a manager he's the sort of player you'd want around you."