Scotland begin at home

23 November 2011 17:16

Scotland's World Cup 2014 Group A qualifying campaign will begin with a home double header, the Scottish Football Association have announced.

Scotland manager Craig Levein's side will play Serbia at Hampden Park on September 8, 2012 and Macedonia three days later in Glasgow as they begin their bid to reach the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.

The first away match is set to come against Wales on Friday, October 12, with a trip to Belgium following on October 16.

Scotland's campaign is set to continue at home to Wales on Friday, March 22, 2013.

The return match with Serbia is poised to take place on March 26 and the first contest with Croatia away on June 7.

Belgium at home is scheduled for September 6, Macedonia away September 10 and Croatia at home completes the fixture programme on October 15.

Strathclyde Police announced they were happy to allow Scotland's home match with Wales to take place on a Friday evening.

Assistant chief constable Campbell Corrigan said: "Like everyone in Scotland we want Craig and the boys to qualify for the World Cup.

"In general we can't support big, high-profile matches on a Friday night. However, in these exceptional circumstances we are happy to cooperate."

Scotland last qualified for a major tournament in 1998, reaching the World Cup finals in France where they lost to Brazil and Morocco and drew with Norway.

Source: PA