Burley heads into tomorrow night's final World Cup qualifier against Holland knowing anything other than victory could cost him his job.

The same applied on Saturday, when Scotland survived a first-half scare to win their penultimate Group Nine match against Macedonia and keep their play-off hopes alive.

There has since been something of a ceasefire in attacks on Burley, who believes he has never been given a fair crack of the whip since taking charge in January last year.

Former Scotland striker Jordan insists criticism comes with the territory but he has been impressed with the way Burley has handled it.

"I think all managers - especially national coaches - come in for criticism, because they're the man the supporters think should have the answers," said Jordan, speaking to promote Cheque Centre's sponsorship of the Kilmacolm 10k, which takes place on September 20

"He's not representing Celtic or Rangers, Aberdeen or Dundee; he's representing all Scottish fans and they've all got an opinion."

Jordan believes ignoring the barbs will give Burley the best chance of leading Scotland to their first major finals since 1998.

The Tottenham assistant boss said: "He's got to try to nullify all the bad vibes thrown at him and concentrate on all that's ahead of him."

For Scotland to achieve the surprise victory they so desperately need tomorrow night, they must deny Holland as much possession as possible, according to Jordan.

He said: "Their football's based on possession of the ball; everyone's very, very comfortable on the ball.

"But I think Scotland have players who are prepared to go and work to put pressure on the opposition to get the ball, and then we must keep the ball.

"It is a night where there'll be a fantastic atmosphere. There will be pressure on the Scotland team.

"But it's a great pressure to have to win a game to get to a World Cup."

Jordan, who played in three World Cups, urged Scotland's players to put everything on the line to win the make-or-break clash.

He said: "You might be in your early twenties, you might be in your late thirties, but I don't think it's a game you can look back on when the night is over and have any regrets.

"You've got to go in and be positive and give up what you have as a player and as a team, so you can come away from the stadium and say 'I've no regrets - I did what I had to do'.

"If you do that then you've given your all, and hopefully it'll be enough."

Jordan, 57, starred for Leeds, Manchester United and AC Milan during his playing career, but it was his seven World Cup matches that gave him most satisfaction.

"It's the highlight of a career," said Jordan, who won 52 caps and scored 11 international goals.

"You forge your way through your academy, your school football; you become a professional football player; you become part of a team that wins major honours.

"But there's no higher accolade than playing for your country in a World Cup."