Scotland bid to book Euro 2008 place

Updated 10.24 Wed Oct 17 2007

Keywords: Steve Staunton, Republic of Ireland, Sweden, Nigel Worthington, Scotland, Georgia, Alex McLeish, Northern Ireland, sport, footba, Wales

Alex McLeish is determined that Scotland should not slip up in Georgia as they bid to book their place in next summer's Euro 2008 finals.

The Tartan Army will be travelling to their first major tournament since the 1998 World Cup in France as long as the Group B leaders pick up four points in their remaining two qualifiers.

"We know that coming into this game there is an expectation level that says that this should be a formality for us. But it is a tough game" - Alex Mcleish

With world champions Italy to visit Hampden Park next month, McLeish will be looking for his men to win their penultimate qualifier in Tbilisi.

He said: "We know that coming into this game there is an expectation level that says that this should be a formality for us. But it is a tough game."

After back-to-back defeats in Latvia and Iceland, Nigel Worthington knows Northern Ireland must win at Group F leaders Sweden or else see their hopes of reaching their first major finals since the 1986 World Cup in Mexico go up in smoke.

Victory for the Swedes would see Lars Lagerback's men through to Euro 2008, but goalkeeper Maik Taylor believes Northern Ireland can raise their game and put a dampener on any pre-planned celebrations.

The Birmingham City stopper said: "Obviously we are disappointed with results in our last two games but we still have a mathematical chance of qualifying.

"We have left ourselves a mountain to climb and nobody expects us to go through now. So the pressure is off and usually we play our best football under these conditions.

"Hopefully that will be the case against Sweden. It's going to be difficult but we will get chances on the night and maybe we can take one or two.

"These are the big games you wait for. You work hard for opportunities like this. We have had a good few days together and are ready for the game. They will be looking for the win but maybe we can spoil the party."

Steve Staunton knows the Republic of Ireland's result at home to Cyprus in Group D will be academic if Wales fail to beat the Czech Republic in Cardiff.

If the Czechs pick up a point Ireland's hopes of reaching the finals will be shattered.