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HEAVEN'S 17 FOR BURLEY
Burley - sets points target.
Scotland manager George Burley believes 17 points from eight qualifiers will get the Scots to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Burley will name his squad tomorrow for the friendly against Northern Ireland at Hampden next week, the last preparation game before the qualification double-header against Macedonia and Iceland away next month.
The former Ipswich and Hearts boss accepts the difficulty of coming through a group that also contains Holland, but speaking on www.tennents.com, he outlined his points target.
"We'll go into each game - there's only eight games in the group - and we'll be looking for at least 17 points if we're going to qualify and that's got to be our aim," Burley said.
"Every international game is difficult, especially away from home.
"Macedonia is going to be a tough game, they showed against England when they drew 0-0 that they are an excellent international side.
"It will be tough but we've got to try to get our own game going.
"Our strengths are our team work, our passion, our belief and our never-say-die attitude and if we can keep that going we'll certainly be a very difficult team to beat.
"The Dutch are going to be favourites, no doubt about that. Their all-round ability in their squad, their team play is fantastic but you don't win anything on paper.
"Just because you're favourites doesn't mean you'll win so we'll certainly not have to fear anybody."
Burley stressed the importance of the Northern Ireland game to the first qualifier in Macedonia.
He said: "With Northern Ireland you've got one eye on Macedonia and what the starting line-up is going to be.
"So it's going to be an important game and hopefully we can show the form we've had in previous games."
Burley reiterated his dream of taking Scotland to their first major finals since the 1998 World Cup in France and claimed the Tartan Army could make the difference.
He said: "That's your vision, that's your aim. When I took over the job that's what really excited me.
"It's coming closer and the focus is there.
"I've been really excited with the squad of players - they've really got a lot of hunger and passion and have the same beliefs that I have.
"The fans have been tremendous and they've played a big part in the success of our performances and progress made in the last couple of years.
"We need everybody - all the help we can get. We know we've got the Tartan Army right behind us and the support they've shown so far has been absolutely magnificent.
"I don't think there's another country in the world with such passionate fans and if we all work together we can make this vision happen and take the country to South Africa.
"That's our aim, that's our vision and with a little bit of luck and everyone working together it's certainly possible."
