Aussie boss slams Strachan

Australia coach Pim Verbeek has hit out at Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan for his handling of Rhys Williams.

The Dutchman has been left fuming with Strachan, who used Williams despite a persistent pelvic problem.

The 21-year-old midfielder or full-back played though the pain barrier towards the end of the season for Boro and needed injections to get him through.

And Verbeek has hit out at Strachan for giving Williams injections, rather than letting him rest and recover.

Williams was included in Australia's preliminary squad last week, but it is touch and go as to whether he makes the final cut.

"Strachan let him play with injections and I think it's the worst thing you can do as a manager - let a player of his age play with an injection," Verbeek told The West Australian.

"He even let him play when they couldn't reach the play-offs anymore.

"The surprise I had in this case is he let a player like Rhys play in a dead rubber game and he knows he's injured.

"I'm happy that Rhys survived and let's hope he is fit (for the World Cup).

"I think Rhys did enough for Middlesbrough. He played for five, six weeks with an injury and he had an injection every week.

"I think Strachan should have known how good it is for a player to go to the World Cup. He showed no respect at all towards Rhys and I think that's bad management. I could not understand that.

"Strachan had an unbelievable career as a player, so he should understand how important it is for a player to go to the World Cup. He made it very difficult for him.

"I was a club manager myself so I know how difficult it is. He's not focusing on Australia, he doesn't care at all about Australia."

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