Scotland have a tricky group but it is one I think they can qualify from, they have also got tricky fixtures against Norway, Macedonia and Iceland but I think the main challenge will undoubtedly be Holland.

They start their campaign with two away fixtures and I like that because if you start at home and you fail then your campaign is on a downer right away but it you slip up away from home you still have the return games at Hampden, which is a fortress for Scotland. They have two very difficult away fixtures Macedonia tomorrow and then against Iceland on Wednesday so it’s a difficult start but I think four points from these two matches would set them up reasonably well.

The injury situation isn’t good, three first choice players are definitely out, Alan Hutton would have played at right back but he’s out, Scotland and Rangers captain Barry Ferguson is out and David Weir, who has been a stalwart for Scotland at centre half is injured as well. So that is three definite starters out and there have also been more withdrawals but there is a good strong pool of players emerging in Scotland at the moment so I think George Burley will be able to cope with the problems.

They did exceptionally well in the Euro 2008 qualifiers, in the toughest group in Europe containing both France and Italy, and Scotland emerged with tremendous credit from that campaign. The unfortunate game was the second to last one in Georgia where with a very under strength side they lost 2-0 and then there was a very dubious decision in the final game against Italy to give Italy the win.

But spirits are high, the feel good factor is back and there is good respect for the new management team of George Burley, Terry Butcher and Steven Pressley so all in all everyone is optimistic about the prospects for the Scotland team.