Brown confident of Scotland glory

By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Scotland boss Alex McLeish celebrates victory in France

Former Scotland boss Craig Brown is "supremely optimistic" they will qualify for Euro 2008 next summer.

Scotland face Ukraine at Hampden Park on Saturday and Georgia in Tbilisi on Wednesday knowing they can almost seal a place in Austria and Switzerland.

And Brown told BBC Sport: "I did say at the outset I thought France and Italy would cut each other's throats and Scotland would sneak in the back door.

"They have done better than that and I feel very optimistic we will make it."

Interview: Former Scotland manager Craig Brown

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to Craig Brown's comments

Brown, now football consultant at Derby County, praised the work of Walter Smith and his successor Alex McLeish in rebuilding the Scotland side after Berti Vogts' ill-fated reign.

He said: "I think Walter benefited from the lack of success before him and he made the team more Scottish and had it highly organised.

"He had an exceptional record in his 16 games and Alex McLeish has started even better.

"After Berti went I think everyone felt a Scot would be the obvious choice, and that man was Walter.

"I was surprised Berti didn't succeed, his CV was very good. He had an excellent record as a player and a superb record as a manager, winning Euro 96, but I don't think he quite tapped into the Scottish psyche and the results were disappointing."

But Brown believes Scotland now have the basis of a side that can secure wins against Ukraine and Georgia to take giant strides towards next summer's showpiece.

He said: "I am supremely optimistic Scotland can do it. We need seven points to get there and I certainly think two wins are possible against Ukraine and Georgia - although knowing Scotland we will draw with Georgia and beat Italy in our last game.

Craig Gordon is an outstanding last line of defence says Craig Brown

"I am delighted, more than surprised, by how well Scotland have done, but it has been slight surprise rather than a total surprise because I thought the team had been turned around by Walter and Alex.

"There is also a consistency of selection now, which brings about consistency of performance and results which is a big thing. Under Berti so many players were being capped, but Alex has wisely maintained the nucleus of the side Walter had.

"If you think about it this is a fine Scottish team. The strength of it lies in the spine of the side.

"They have got an outstanding goalkeeper in Craig Gordon, while David Weir brings massive experience alongside Stephen McManus.

"Barry Ferguson is a wonderful central midfield player and they are very well off up front with Kenny Miller, Kris Boyd, Shaun Maloney and Garry O'Connor.

"James McFadden has proved he is a wonderful substitute, and he proved against France that he is also a good man from the start.

"The nucleus of the side is first class. The great thing about them is that they are the perfect age, with a lot of young players who are going to get better and better as they get international experience.

"I feel very optimistic and I don't think we will be let down. It would be good to see both Scotland and England get to the European finals."