BURLEY: WE CAN MATCH DUTCH COURAGE

Burley - believes Scotland can qualify.

Scotland manager George Burley believes a fearless approach can carry his team to the next World Cup finals.

The Scots must play Holland twice, with the Dutch impressive in the group stage of Euro 2008 until they went out in the quarter-finals to Russia.

Only topping Group Nine, in which Scotland begin with a double-header against Macedonia and Iceland in September, would guarantee entry to the finals in South Africa in two years' time. Finishing second could see the Scots involved in a play-off.

But Burley, appearing at a charity golf event at Loch Lomond, does not baulk at the prospect of probably having to dispose of Holland to lead the Scots to the finals of a major competition for the first time since 1998.

And he insists taking a positive attitude to their play, as so many teams including winners Spain did at Euro 2008, must be Scotland's aim.

"Whatever tournament or whatever competition you are in, you want to try and finish as high as possible and you start from first," said the former Hearts boss.

"We've had a couple of friendly games so far to get a feel of it but when you watch the championships you think, 'Come on, let's get there, lets give it our best shot and go and compete with no fear'.

"That's what we have got to do and hopefully we can be right up there.

"We are in a group with some excellent teams with Holland being the favourites.

"Initially I think Holland were the team of the European Championships and they played some terrific football.

"They had one or two injuries and didn't keep going but they showed that they are certainly one of the best teams in Europe.

"There is going to be a bit of a change with them.

"Marco van Basten has left for Ajax and they have a new manager coming in.

"However, they have quality throughout the side so it is going to be tough.

"But whoever you play, you have to go in with no fear.

"It was good to see that teams did that in the Euros and that is exactly what we have to do and hopefully we get enough points to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa."

Burley's tenure as Scotland boss began with a 1-1 draw against Croatia at Hampden and a 3-1 defeat away to the Czech Republic, both friendly games characterised by numerous withdrawals from his squad.

Scotland's next game is another challenge match against Northern Ireland at Hampden in August but Burley insists all his squad start with a clean slate.

He said: "I have a nucleus of a squad which is probably not a million miles away from what it has been in the last couple of years.

"There's no doubt we had a number of key players missing from the last two games.

"But hopefully against Northern Ireland we can get everybody fit and raring to go because it's very important that we are focused for the two away games coming up in the World Cup qualifiers.

"I will be looking at everybody when the season starts.

"I have to look to see who is in form, who is looking good and playing for the team and who is raring to go.

"So it's a new start.

"I am looking forward to the game against Northern Ireland at home and it's a game that we are hoping to win."