The Herald understands that there is a groundswell of support that will ensure he remains in charge, barring a dramatic late change of heart from the hierarchy.
The men who will decide his fate today -- the president, George Peat; chief executive, Gordon Smith; and vice-presidents Campbell Ogilvie and Alan McRae -- met at Hampden yesterday and, while Burley was in the building, he was not party to the preliminary talks.
The manager will plead his case to Peat, Smith, Ogilvie and McRae today and is expected to blame a player revolt for destabilising the squad.
As revealed in The Herald last week, he is also prepared to dispense with the services of his coach, Steven Pressley, and Tommy McLean, who has been used as a player observer and scout. The latter had been appoinited to the post before Burley’s appointment and is keen to return to coaching, even as an assistant.
Burley’s prospects have been enhanced by a spirited finish to their World Cup Qualifying Group 9 campaign, in which they beat Macedonia 2-0 and put in an impressive display in the 1-0 loss to the Netherlands at Hampden.
He insists his squad is more together since Kris Boyd announced his retirement and Allan McGregor and Barry Ferguson were banished. He will give his guarantee that external factors will not be allowed to compromise the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.
There will be no vote today but a discussion among the four executive committee members. If the majority agree he should stay in charge, he will be informed. The indications are that Smith has softened his stance and will be sympathetic to Burley.
Only if the other three vote to sack him, will they then convene the rest of the 11-man board to cast their votes.
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