Don Cowie has said the Scottish players need “to assess the part” they played in the downfall of George Burley.

The Scotland manager was sacked yesterday following Saturday’s dismal 3-0 defeat against Wales in Cardiff, a game that saw the Watford midfielder make his first international start.

But in a frank interview with the Scottish Sun, the 26-year-old admitted: "It's not exactly how I imagined my first start for Scotland going.

"I grew up dreaming of what it would be like. But it's fair to say it didn't go to plan.

"Everything had been going great for me this season. Club football was good and I was flying last Saturday knowing I was starting. To go from such a high to the worst possible low is unimaginable.

"I've had a few sore points in my career, but at international level there's no doubt a defeat like that hurts so much more.

"The last thing I want is to be remembered for the Wales game and I don't want that to be my last cap. I was so incredibly proud to be representing my country, it was a lifelong ambition.

"All I can do now is get my head down and keep working hard at Watford.

"It's hard work that got me here before and I have to hope it happens again."

Commenting on what happened to Burley in the wake of the defeat, Cowie added: "George gave me my break in international football so I'll always be grateful to him.

"But the buck has to stop with the players. We need to assess the part we played in all of this.

"All last week things in training were great. It's only the second squad I've been involved with, but the standard was really high and the boys were flying.

"As a group of players, you hate the idea of being responsible for the final nail in the manager's coffin.

"I don't think any of the players from last Saturday can feel too happy with themselves now about that."