By Thomas McGuigan

Scotland fans have fond memories of Burley's attacking Hearts side

New Scotland manager George Burley has a clear remit - keep the side aiming for the stars and secure qualification for the 2010 World Cup.

It's as simple as that.

From the relatively sedate setting of life at Championship outfit Southampton, the 51-year-old has chosen to follow in the not inconsiderable footsteps of Walter Smith and Alex McLeish, to try to continue Scotland's upward trajectory.

Scotland's Tartan Army have an extra spring in their step following the recent upturn in results.

And Burley will be keen to lead his troops from the front - starting with the friendly against Croatia at Hampden on 26 March.

Recent victories over World Cup finalists France whetted Scotland fans' appetite for further success.

Narrowly missing out on qualification for the Euro 2008 finals won't have lowered expectations.

A national side which has admirably punched above its weight in recent times will be expected to deliver further knock-out blows to bigger and more illustrious opponents.

But will a change of style and attacking intent have a bearing on Scotland's results?

Burley has been at Southampton since 2005

In 2005, Burley had Hearts playing a brand of football that had Old Firm fans concerned that their stranglehold on the SPL was about to be broken.

But his reign was brought to an abrupt end following the internecine conflict at Tynecastle as his relationship with owner Vladimir Romanov unravelled.

And fans north of the border were denied seeing the Old Firm seriously tested over the course of a season.

The media attention given to the process of appointing McLeish's successor as Scotland manager would not have been out of place in the script for an episode of Dallas.

A five-man shortlist soon became four - as favourites were replaced by others, before Burley emerged as the SFA's preferred candidate.

Graeme Souness would bring a passion to Scotland's play, some observers said.

But the former Rangers, Liverpool, Newcastle and Galatasary manager's time out of football may have stood against him.

GEORGE BURLEY FACTFILE 1956: Born in Cumnock, Ayrshire, on 3 June 1973: Makes debut for Ipswich, going on to play for Sunderland, Gillingham, Motherwell, Ayr, Falkirk and Colchester 1979: A defender, he wins the first of 11 Scotland caps 1991: Becomes player-manager at Ayr Utd, eventually leaving in 1994 to take over at Colchester 1994: Becomes manager at Ipswich, winning promotion to Premiership and leading the club into Uefa Cup in 2001 2003: Takes over as interim manager of Derby when John Gregory is suspended, eventually becoming boss in his own right 2005: Appointed manager of Hearts by new owner Vladimir Romanov, Burley leaves after just four months 2005: Named Southampton boss 2008: Named Scotland manager

Mark McGhee has Motherwell playing sparkling football since taking over in the summer and has impressed fans in Scotland with his attacking philosophy.

But he failed to scale the heights with Brighton, Millwall, Wolves and Leicester City during his managerial spells in England and he will have to wait for the chance to manage his country.

Celtic first-team coach Tommy Burns, who was number two to former Scotland manager Bertie Vogts, may not wish to throw his hat in the ring again after missing out on the top job.

The intriguing aspect of Burley's appointment is his reputation for playing attacking football.

Scotland, understandably, adopt a "thou shall not pass" mentality against bigger and better international sides - with emphasis on stout defence and taking chances when they arise.

Will his Scotland side be more attack-minded than a McLeish or Smith side?

MY SPORT: DEBATE Is the future bright for Scotland under Burley?

Will he eschew the 4-5-1 formation in favour of a more adventurous line-up?

And do Scotland possess the flair players needed for a more cavalier approach?

Burley has more than seven months to prepare for his first competitive match, the World Cup qualifier away to Macedonia in September.

Scotland have not qualified for a major tournament since the 1998 World Cup and Burley takes over a national side needing to right that wrong.

In keeping with the soap-style theme, Burley's brother revealed that the former Southampton boss learned of his impending appointment from a neighbour when he was out walking his dog.