Scots confident of ending major finals wait

New Scotland boss Craig Levein welcomed Sunday’s Euro 2012 draw as handing his squad a “fighting chance” of making a major finals for the first time since the 1998 World Cup.

The Scots were placed in Group I with reigning champions Spain, the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Liechtenstein.

Levein, was relieved to have avoided lengthy trips to places like Kazakhstan and said he felt that second place in the section was within the grasp of his players.

“I’m excited and I’m pretty sure a lot of Scotland supporters will be looking forward to Spain coming to Hampden – and also maybe a little holiday to Spain.

“They should be favourites to win the group if they play to form but a five-team group may make it easier to get that second place.

“We know about Lithuania having drawn them in our last three qualifying campaigns. We don’t know so much about Liechtenstein but will find out about them.

“We need to get some momentum now and we’ve got a couple of friendlies before the qualifiers to do just that.

“My intention is to develop some team spirit and harmony and build momentum. I think we’re more than capable of having a fighting chance in this group.”

Levein has been working on persuading a number of players who stopped playing for Scotland under his predecessor George Burley to return to the international fold.

Rangers striker Kris Boyd and goalkeeper Allan McGregor have signalled they are ready to rejoin the squad while former captain Barry Ferguson is expected to return in time for the start of the qualifying campaign in August or September.

Ferguson, who is in fine form for Birmingham, and McGregor were banished from the international set-up last season following an all-night drinking session between two World Cup qualifiers and a subsequent furore over obscene gestures they made to photographers.

But Levein has decided to wipe that particular slate clean as well as persuading Boyd, who fell out with Burley, that he has a role to play for his country.

“I’ve spoken to a lot of guys, particularly the ones there were issues with – and I’m very happy with the discussions,” Levein said. “I’m still in contact with Barry Ferguson and once there’s a resolution I’ll give you all the information.”

Craig Brown, who managed Scotland at France 98, shared Levein’s optimism.

“I’ve got to concede that Spain are the obvious favourites while Lithuania and Liechtenstein shouldn’t be a problem,” Brown, now in charge of Motherwell, said.

“But Scotland should be optimistic of getting at least second place in that group. Scotland have a great chance there. That’s arguably the softest group they’ve had in recent times.”

Scottish Football Association Chief Executive Gordon Smith has meanwhile confirmed that Levein will have complete control over disciplining players in a policy designed to prevent a repeat of the confusion that surrounded the Ferguson/McGregor case, in which it was not clear if Burley or the SFA hierarchy were making the decisions.

“Coming from the football side of it, I think it is something the manager should be dealing with,” Smith said. “As soon as you take it upstairs, it leads to confusion.

“The manager should have total control over disciplinary measures, even from the point of view of saying to a guy, ‘You’re not going to be picked for the rest of this campaign’.”