The former Ipswich and Rangers defender - who won 77 caps for England and captained his country to the 1990 World Cup semi-finals - was a controversial appointment as assistant to Scotland manager George Burley, who took over as Alex McLeish's successor last month.

Since then there have been rumblings of discontent among some sections of the Scotland support as to the wisdom of his recruitment.

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

The former Motherwell and Brentford boss moved to allay any feelings of unease among the Tartan Army by saying:

"I'm already calling Scotland 'we'. I'm already thinking along those lines and I think you have to. I'm upfront in everything I do, I'm an honest guy and I'm very committed.

"I can only say so much but I will give everything to George Burley and Scotland. No-one who knows me would doubt that.

"I desperately want Scotland to do well and to qualify (for the 2010 World Cup) because that will reflect well on George and the country.

"I know what happens when you qualify for a major finals and have a successful campaign.

"I know what it will mean to the Tartan Army and to everybody associated with Scotland and so I'm totally committed."

Butcher added: "We have some good games coming up, especially against Croatia who knocked England out of their Euro 2008 qualification campaign.

"We have said to the players that it will be a long difficult summer because neither England or Scotland will be at the Euro 2008 championships.

"But that will fire the players up and it will certainly fire the Tartan Army on to give everything to make sure that Scotland do qualify for the World Cup finals."

Burley backed his former Ipswich team mate by saying: "I don't care about nationality.

"Terry has been involved in Scottish football longer than me.

"As a manager I have to be 100% sure that Terry will do the job for Scotland.

"I had to be positive that this was the right appointment for me and for the country, that were my only thoughts."

There were no new caps in the squad invited to Loch Lomond but Burley insists he will "tinker" with his side for the friendly against Croatia on March 26 at Hampden.

However, the Scotland boss insists Rangers defender David Weir, who at 37, is three years older than Pressley, still has a future at international level.

He said: "There will be changes, no doubt about that and I will have a look at different people in view of the World Cup coming up.

"But I certainly haven't ruled David out.

"He is in the squad and he is a big influence.

"I had a couple of weeks at Falkirk many years ago and David was there and was a player who really impressed me.

"I saw him playing well at Easter Road for Rangers yesterday.

"At 37, you have to have a look at it but I had a wee chat with David this morning and he is still enjoying himself."