Former Scotland boss Alex McLeish insists it is "absolutely realistic" for George Burley to target a place at the 2010 World Cup.Burley is preparing to gather together Scotland's players for training next week and will look to carry on McLeish's good work with the national team.

Under McLeish, who resigned in November, Scotland narrowly failed to reach Euro 2008 before finishing behind France and Italy in their qualifying group.

He now hopes his successor can take Scotland all the way to South Africa in two years' time.

"I think it is realistic, absolutely realistic," said McLeish.

"He has a good nucleus of players. Expectations levels will be up because of the showing in the European Championships against two of the best teams in the world.

"The expectations will be that we can qualify. George has that big opportunity in front of him and it is a huge challenge as well."

McLeish supported the appointment of Burley, a former Scotland team-mate.

The Birmingham manager said: "He has been around, he has good experience and there were a lot of good contenders. Time will tell if any appointment is a good appointment but he has certainly got the credentials."

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