The former Ipswich and Rangers defender - who won 77 caps for England and captained his country to the 1990 World Cup semi-finals - has been something of a controversial appointment.

Butcher and Celtic defender Steven Pressley, also invited onto the coaching staff by Burley, joined the Scotland manager as they faced the media for the first time yesterday at Cameron House where a 27-man Scotland squad had assembled on Sunday for a three-day get-together.

The former Motherwell boss, who has been working as a television pundit recently, said: "It's been a whirlwind. I've been quite gobsmacked by the whole thing, even the media attention.

"It has been great - if a bit different. It was difficult going into the Arsenal press conference the other night and being booed by the English press men.

"That was quite a new experience - I never had that before.

"They've slaughtered me in the past but I've never actually been booed by them."

Butcher admitted he had to overcome some initial misgivings before accepting Burley`s offer.

He said: "I did have some qualms about taking the job on.

"I had to speak to a lot of people and at certain times I thought, `I don't think this is going to work` but then I spoke to more people about it both north and south of the border the more they convinced me.

"I spoke to George who is strong as both a manager and a character as well. I've spoken to a lot of people including ex-team mates and they are very pleased.

"My major worry was for George - not so much myself. I've had criticism and booing in my career and I'm not bothered about that but I didn't want to do anything which would hurt or jeopardise George.

"But he's very positive and has good thoughts for the national team."

Butcher added, tongue-in-cheek: "If Scotland lose I'll get all the blame, if Scotland do well then George will get all the praise, but I don't mind that."

The former Rangers captain, who first set up home north of the border after signing for the Ibrox club in 1986, insists his time in Scotland over the years means almost makes him a naturalised Scot.

He said: "It's like coming home. It's been my home for 17 out of 22 years.

"My son Edward almost played for Scotland at rugby and he has a Scottish accent.

"My other son in called Alistair Ian after Ally McCoist and Ian Durrant and is at Dundee University studying art. He loves it up here. He considers himself Scottish.

"Whenever I've come up I've had a terrific welcome from everybody.

"Even though it's been a big gloomy and wet and raining and snowy it's still lovely to come back because I know where everything is.

"I'm not being patronising - that's just the way it is. Scotland has been very good for me and my family for a long, long while."