Scots chief relishes Italian test

Rino Gattuso (left) helped Italy win the World Cup

Scottish Football Association chief executive David Taylor is optimistic Scotland can again be crowned unofficial world champions.

The Scots, who face newly-crowned World Cup winners Italy and runners-up France in their Euro qualifying group, have twice before beaten reigning champions.

"We beat England in 1967 and Argentina in 1990," said Taylor.

"Maybe it's a good omen. It took Italy well into the second half before they equalised the last time we played."

Scotland travel to Italy in March, with the Azzuri arriving at Hampden next November.

"It was always going to be a sell-out anyway, but it's a great chance for our players to play the World Cup holders on our own turf," said Taylor, who joked: "And it's a chance to say we are the world champions again."

If we didn't already know it was going to be difficult, we certainly do now SFA chief executive David Taylor

France will arrive in Glasgow in October without midfielder Zinedine Zidane, who was named player of the tournament despite being sent off in the final - his last game before international retirement.

Defender Lilian Thuram and midfielder Claude Makelele are two other veterans unlikely to feature again.

"They will have some new players, so maybe it will suit us to face them early in the campaign," said Taylor.

"But they will provide a stiff test and we expect another sell-out."

World Cup quarter-finalists Ukraine are also in Scotland's European Championship qualifying group.

"If we didn't already know it was going to be difficult, we certainly do now," said Taylor.

"France have an array of young talent coming through, but our under-19 team knocked them out to qualify for the European finals in Poland later in the month.

"We have quite a good record against the French and look forward to the challenge.

"But we mustn't forget we also have the Faroe Islands, who have caused us problems in the past.

"We must make sure that we win the games we are expected to win and then perform well against the sides of quality."

Taylor did not see qualification for the finals in Austria and Switzerland as a "mission impossible" from perhaps the tournament's toughest group.

"It is a very difficult but attractive group, but we go into the campaign with a sense of optimism," he added.

"The top sides will all take points from one another.

"And we won the Kirin Cup after beating Bulgaria and drawing with Japan at the end of the season."