Burley eager to take Scots to World Cup

Published on Tuesday 1 July 2008 10:28

GEORGE BURLEY insists Scotland must forget the disappointment of sitting out the recent European Championships and concentrate on reaching the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

After narrowly missing out on qualifying for Austria and Switzerland, the Scotland players and management had to watch an exciting tournament unfold, ending with Spain's 1-0 win over Germany in the final in Vienna on Sunday night.

The Scotland boss believes the tournament missed the Scots' involvement, but he was more intent on looking forward to the World Cup qualification campaign, which begins with a double-header against Macedonia and Iceland in September.

"We are a very proud nation and a very good nation football-wise in our own right," Burley said.

"I think we would have (added to the competition) but we didn't. Unfortunately in life you've got to earn that right and that's what we are trying to do for the World Cup qualifiers coming up.

"The last time that Scotland qualified for a major championships was in 1998 and I think that's what the fans have been missing. So, World Cup qualification is our aim and ambition but it's going to be tough.

"We are in a group with some excellent teams, and while watching the Euros gives you the appetite, you still have to earn it. In the last qualifiers the team did the country proud, but we want to get through this time."