Scotland manager George Burley insists Gary Caldwell and Stephen McManus remain his first-choice defensive pairing - even if Celtic boss Tony Mowbray has yet to be convinced.
McManus was singled out for criticism after his blunder gifted Rapid Vienna a draw at Parkhead, as the Hoops were held in a vital Europa League tie last week.
But Burley said: "Gary and Stephen have been outstanding for me. From day one, they have been my pairing. Like anything, you have your ups and downs but I've got every confidence in both of them."
Mowbray shuffled his pack again for the Old Firm derby, with Caldwell dropped to the bench, before admitting after the 2-1 defeat to Rangers he had yet to decide his best partnership.
Burley apparently has no such concerns and had nothing but praise for the Scotland duo ahead of this week's friendly in Japan.
"They are both very strong characters, very competitive and they are the type of players who are leaders on and off the pitch so I've got no hesitation in selecting those two," he said.
"We have other players, like Christophe Berra and Darren Barr, who are waiting in the wings as well. So we are well sorted out for centre-backs."
Burley's own future was thrown into doubt after failing to secure a World Cup play-off spot, before being informed by the Scottish Football Association he would remain in the job for now.
Debate continues to rage as to whether he is the right man to lead Scotland into the next qualifying campaign and Burley was asked whether he expects to be under further scrutiny in Yokohama.
"I don't know about being judged more," he said. "You are judged all the time. You are judged in every game. This is a game where we will be looking at some new players, a game we will be trying to win. Nothing changes. You want to do well in every game. You want to win every game and you want to improve. There is not any difference whatsoever."
Comment 1 - 13 of 13
Worst defenders in the country are picked for scotland. Why?
doesnt the manager pick and motivate the team does thisfool know what he is doing lookat past selections hes a bad manager on an interational stage we have had one good performance out of him when it was to late nothing will change my opinion of him he is just bad and the icing on it is he is still employed by us
do you think its the players who arent getting it right then not the inept manager
John, what has a recession got to do with it? he's not asking you to go, he's asking the players, and it's paid for them, and still they wont go, this is why we cant qualify these days, time to stop picking on the Scotland manager and the SFA, HOW ABOUT PICKING ON THE SO CALLED SUPERSTARS YOU SEEM TO THINK WE'VE GOT THAT DONT TURN UP WHEN IT REALLY MATTERS, friendlies matter, it's like training, getting things right, what do you think a club would do if a player never turned up for a friendly or for training? why cant all those Celtic and rangers fans see that? because they dont want to, it's easier to pick on the Scotland manager or the SFA than your own players.
i knew this would happen with Scotland as soon as the qualifiers were over, all of a sudden everyone and his granny are injured for the friendly in Japan, yes you can argue about going all the way to Japan but if you dont have your full squad available for the friendlies then dont expect the manager to get it right first time when qualifying comes round again, im afraid we're back where we started, and it's not looking good, it's very annoying when you think how well we played recently, i dont envy George Burley, and as for the people who want him sacked, who would they have, oh yes Walter Smith, who, like the players, enjoys the qualifying games but chucks it when it's over, fantastic.
i knew this would happen with Scotland as soon as the qualifiers were over, all of a sudden everyone and his granny are injured for the friendly in Japan, yes you can argue about going all the way to Japan but if you dont have your full squad available for the friendlies then dont expect the manager to get it right first time when qualifying comes round again, im afraid we're back where we started, and it's not looking good, it's very annoying when you think how well we played recently, i dont envy George Burley, and as for the people who want him sacked, who would they have, oh yes Walter Smith, who, like the players, enjoys the qualifying games but chucks it when it's over, fantastic.
i knew this would happen with Scotland as soon as the qualifiers were over, all of a sudden everyone and his granny are injured for the friendly in Japan, yes you can argue about going all the way to Japan but if you dont have your full squad available for the friendlies then dont expect the manager to get it right first time when qualifying comes round again, im afraid we're back where we started, and it's not looking good, it's very annoying when you think how well we played recently, i dont envy George Burley, and as for the people who want him sacked, who would they have, oh yes Walter Smith, who, like the players, enjoys the qualifying games but chucks it when it's over, fantastic.
i have faith in george burnley but why go all the way 2 japan for a game thought there was a recession on who pays for this holiday
they certainly worry me and artur boruc
These two will worry anyone!!!!!!!!!!!!! they are pathetic both of them.
Like a 4th rate african division? Surely you can do better that that
When was the last time you watched 4th div african football numbnuts?
WHY BOTHER YOU JOCKS CANT PLAY FOOTBALL ITS LIKE 4TH RATE AFRICAN DIV!!
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