Caldwell and Pressley were team-mates with Celtic and Scotland

Gary Caldwell has denied there was tension between some Scotland players and Steven Pressley, who has quit George Burley's backroom staff.

Pressley left his assistant's post 24 hours after it was announced that manager Burley had retained his job.

But, asked if he had sensed friction between Pressley and members of the Scotland squad, Celtic captain Caldwell replied: "No, not at all.

"I don't know how people will look at it, but I see it as a disappointment."

Lee McCulloch and Kris Boyd called an end to their international careers under Burley during the failed World Cup qualification campaign.

Meanwhile, Rangers team-mates Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor were dropped from the squad for misbehaviour.

I think everyone will be happy that the manager is staying Scotland defender Gary Caldwell

Speculation built over the last week that Burley was set to part company with Pressley because players were disgruntled about the 35-year-old's role in the Scotland set-up.

But Caldwell, who was a team-mate of Pressley's at Celtic, said: "He was someone I got on well with, whom I listened to all the time and who I tried to learn from.

"It's just disappointing that he won't be there in future squads.

"He was part of the backroom team. But, for whatever reason, he has left and I'm sure everyone will be disappointed in that."

Speaking ahead of Celtic's Europa League opener at Hapoel Tel Aviv on Thursday, Caldwell applauded the Scottish Football Association's decision to retain Burley as he prepares for the forthcoming Euro 2012 campaign.

"I think everyone will be happy that the manager is staying," the defender said.

"There were a lot of mistakes made by everyone in the last campaign.

"But, hopefully, we can move on and qualify because everyone, players and manager, are very passionate about Scotland and qualifying for a major finals."

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