THE Tartan Army are in full support of the SFA's surprise choice as Scotland's new manager.

George Burley was chosen ahead of Tommy Burns, Mark McGhee and Graeme Souness.

He has finalised personal terms and will be officially unveiled at Hampden later today.

Hamish Husband, of the Association of Tartan Army Clubs, believes the country will get right behind Burley.

"I think everyone will be fine with the appointment," he said. "It's a step up in class for any manager and George Burley now has to produce the results.

"The Tartan Army have extremely high expectations and what we want is to qualify for the World Cup. There can be no excuses.

"Neither Walter Smith nor Alex McLeish were judged on that because of the magnitude of the task. It's been like a three-stage revival. There was rescue first, then we beat France twice. Now it's an easier group for George. It's not even a hope now that we qualify, it's an expectation."

SFA president George Peat denied Burley, 51, our 17th manager and our fifth in the last 10 years, was chosen after a split vote.

Peat insisted the Southampton boss was the unanimous choice of the four-man interview panel - him, chief executive Gordon Smith and vice-presidents Campbell Ogilvie and Alan McRae.

He said: "It has been put to me by some people that all four of us were backing a different candidate, but that is definitely not the case.

"After the interview process was completed, we had a unanimous choice of the man we wanted. It was difficult, because there wasn't much to choose between them, but we believe we have got the right man for the job.

"He came across exceptionally well during interview and it was clear he was very passionate about the prospect of becoming Scotland manager."

The choice was ratified yesterday by the seven remaining members of the SFA board - Lex Gold (SPL chief executive), his brother John Gold (Schools FA), Brown McMaster (Partick and SFL president), Rod Petrie (Hibs chairman), Tom Johnston (Junior FA), Dick Shaw (Southern Counties FA), and Donnie MacIntyre (Dumbarton director).

Instead of calling a board meeting, Peat phoned all seven men individually and it is understood all supported the choice of Burley.

Peat and Smith then had four hours of negotiations with Southampton and compensation believed to be around £600,000, was agreed.

Burley is expected to get an annual salary of about £350,000 - less than he was getting at Southampton - but will bank a massive bonus if Scotland qualify for South Africa.

His agent Athole Still said: "I hope that the final t's can be crossed and i's can be dotted pretty smartly today."

Burley's first match will be a Hampden friendly against Croatia on March 26.