Former Scotland midfielder Craig Burley has cast doubt on the national side's prospects of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup finals.

Burley, who scored against Norway at the 1998 World Cup, said the Scots faced a battle to secure their place in South Africa via the play-offs.

"I think it's going to be difficult," Burley told BBC Scotland.

"I wouldn't bet on us qualifying, but I would hope the players can prove us wrong. Let's hope they get a result."

Burley, the nephew of Scotland manager George, now works as a football pundit and has been critical of the national side's recent displays.

The Scots lost to Macedonia in their opening Group 9 qualifier, before recording a 2-1 victory away to Iceland.

They followed that up with a goalless draw with Norway at Hampden, before losing to Netherlands and then boosting their qualification hopes with a narrow win at home to Iceland.

Scotland are currently second in the group with seven points after five games, level with Macedonia, who have played one game more.

Netherlands, who are runaway group winners on 21 points, sealed their place in the finals with a 2-1 win over Iceland in June.

The Scots must aim to be among the highest-placed runners up to grab a play-off slot and possible qualification.

They face Norway in Oslo on 12 August and Burley said he would be delighted if they managed to book their place at a major finals for the first time since France 98.

"Let's hope they get a result and create a chance to go and play in South Africa on the big stage," said Burley.

"But it doesn't come easy and qualification over the last 11 years has proven to be really difficult.

"Can we be better than Norway, Iceland and Macedonia? Of course we can, we should be better than these teams.

"It's up to these guys to go out and put a positive spin on what has happened to Scottish teams in Europe and on the international side - if they can do that, then things might look a bit brighter."

Burley added that the Scots would be keen to improve the national side's poor record for qualifying for major tournaments.

"It's up to the guys to go out and do it and stop me and all the guys who played years ago from going on about it," he said.

"The only way to shut people up is to get results and that's what they have to do."

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