By Julian Taylor

Gordon is enjoying working under both Alex McLeish and Roy Keane

Craig Gordon believes that Scotland are being treated with a significant degree of respect as they aim towards Euro 2008 qualification.

The Sunderland goalkeeper played a key role in Saturday's win over Ukraine but knows the upcoming visit to Georgia remains a hazardous prospect.

"Teams are looking at us with more admiration now," Gordon told BBC Sport.

"Scotland have to be prepared as we're probably not as gifted as France and Italy but we know what we have to do."

Alex McLeish's side have so far charted a successful course against the odds to top Group B.

Four points are now required from their remaining two matches against the Georgians and Italy at home.

And Gordon is confident that the Scottish surge of momentum can remain.

"We've got quality in our squad, which is no surprise to me.

"We're all getting much more experienced now as well as getting used to winning these types of games.

"There is definitely no over-confidence among us despite the media reaction, and the Georgia game is the only one we're concentrating on," he added.

"We know they will be a tough proposition as we had to rely on a late Craig Beattie goal to earn a win over them at Hampden last time.

"The squad has a lot of young players with a growing number of caps.

Scotland do have a reputation of getting quite close to qualification so it's up to us to get rid of that Craig Gordon

"That is helping the national team to gel, and of course the great progress in Europe by our club teams is great too.

The former Hearts man, a �9m summer signing for the Black Cats, agrees that the managerial transition during the qualifying campaign from Walter Smith to McLeish has been relatively seamless.

"Both managers are excellent in terms of their preparation and attention to detail," he offered.

"They are great at keeping your feet on the ground, and as a squad we know there is still a lot of work to be done.

"Scotland do have a reputation of getting quite close to qualification it's up to us to get rid of that."

The 24-year-old's star has risen higher with a confident start to his Premier League career under the guidance of Roy Keane, a manager he keenly admires.

"Roy has a big presence both as a manager and when he was a player," explained Gordon.

"He has that aura about him - he brings something special to Sunderland so hopefully he'll stay with the club for a long time to build something fantastic.

"My position will always be the same in that I have to continue to work hard wherever I play."