Burley sets World Cup target
24 Jan 2008 - 16:35:11
George Burley has set his sights on qualifying for the 2010 World Cup after being confirmed as the new Scotland head coach.
The 51-year-old former Scotland international agreed an initial two-and-a-half year contract with the Scottish Football Association on Thursday to end his two-year stint as manager at Championship club Southampton.
The former Hearts, Derby County, Ipswich Town and Colchester boss will now succeed Alex McLeish in the Hampden Park hot-seat and believes qualification for the next major championship is a realistic possibility.
"As a Scotsman you have a vision to do well for your country," he said.
"Now the dream is to qualify for the World Cup in 2010. The country has belief, I'm certainly up for the challenge and we'll go for it.
"This job gives the opportunity to try to do something, to try to get to the World Cup finals, and as a manager you couldn't ask for more than that.
"It's something I'm really looking to. I feel I'm ready for it."
Meanwhile, Burley, who was handed the job ahead of fellow candidates Tommy Burns, Graeme Souness and Mark McGhee, believes he has inherited the role at an exciting time.
"Timing is key in any situation," he said, referring to Scotland narrowly missing out on qualifying for Euro 2008 late last year.
"The timing is right, what Scotland have done over the last couple of years has excited everyone."