The Sunderland goalkeeper is one of the few experienced campaigners left in Burley's team to face the Czech Republic on Friday following six withdrawals and several regulars omitted from the original squad through injury.

Burley said: "I know Craig from our time at Hearts and he was absolutely superb for me. He faces a big test at Sunderland and he's come through his first season very well. He's still maturing but already he's one of the top keepers in Europe."

He added: "Of course, the Czechs have Petr Cech who probably is the top keeper in Europe so it will be interesting to compare the two. But, no matter how this game goes, Craig is a phenomenal keeper.

"He's the type of guy who doesn't get flustered by anything. He doesn't go into games worrying about them.

"He has bags of confidence and all the ability in the world. He's developing into a terrific player as he gets older and, over the next couple of years, I believe he can challenge Petr Cech for the title of being the top keeper in Europe."