George Burley is attempting to put more pressure on Norway ahead of their game against World Cup Group Nine runaway leaders Holland on Wednesday night. The Scotland manager knows that if Holland continue their winning streak in the qualifying group on Wednesday Norway's qualifying hopes would be slender to say the least. Burley was a very interested spectator when Egil Olsen's men were held to a goalless draw in Macedonia on Saturday to extend their winless run in Group Nine to four games. Losing in Rotterdam would leave them rock bottom of the group and four points behind Scotland before the countries meet in Oslo on August 12. Burley believes Norway would be under huge pressure to win that game if things go Scotland's way tomorrow and Holland win. He said: "Norway need points now. They've only got three points so far and they need to get things moving. If they do lose in Rotterdam, it's a must win for them against us on August 12. They'd need to win all their games then. It's a competitive group. Not long ago, Norway went over to Germany and won in a friendly, so they're a good side. Every game's very difficult and we're certainly focused on the big game coming up. It's a very early start for us; we're playing over in Norway before the SPL actually starts. So there's not going to be any competitive action for the players, which is not ideal."
Scotland's target was always to be in the runners-up spot at best with Holland in the group. The Dutch masters secured their place in the finals when they won away from home against Iceland. Wednesday sees Macedonia welcome Iceland before Holland take on Norway. Scotland's ideal results from the games would be three points to Holland and Iceland. That would make Scotland strong favourites to finish second behind Holland, though they may need to win all their remaining games to reach the play-offs, as the runners-up with the worst record from the nine groups face elimination. Scotland rarely do things the easy way and many a fingernail will be written off before the final list of qualifying teams for the World Cup finals in South Africa are confirmed.
