Houllier joined Scots coaches at the second SPL elite coaching forum

Speaking from the SPL coaching forum at Gleneagles, he said: "There are many hard working coaches at all levels, and this SPL initiative is fantastic.

"There is a great crop of young Scottish coaches and now there is growing expectation from supporters.

"I hope Scotland qualify for Euro 2008 - they deserve to be there."

Houllier, who left the managerial post at Lyon in May after two seasons, also feels world champions Italy will be under pressure ahead of their visit to Hampden in what is expected to be a decisive final Group B qualifier.

"The Italians have a lot of older players now," Houllier - who guided Liverpool to a unique cup treble in 2000/01 of League Cup, FA Cup and Uefa Cup - told BBC Sport.

"They will be under a lot of pressure coming to play the Scots and I wouldn't like to be in their camp facing Scotland going into the last game."

The Frenchman, while admitting his admiration for Scottish football culture, also recalled his one-time opportunity to manage Celtic, after the 1998 World Cup.

"I did have the chance to go to Celtic back then, but I don't regret my decision.

"To be honest I decided not to come because I just didn't think I would get on with the chairman (Fergus McCann) at the time."

Meanwhile, Everton boss David Moyes has noted the changing perceptions of Scottish football in England.

"Now Scots involved in the English game have something to be proud of," he declared.

"The national team were in the doldrums for a while but all that has now changed while the Old Firm clubs and Aberdeen have done really well in Europe.

"Everyone thinks much higher of Scottish football now and there is a real admiration for the passion of the supporters.

"Scotland has always produced successful, perceptive coaches and there is now a groundswell of positive opinions regarding the Scottish game," added the former Celtic player.

"For the coaches meeting up here, it's great. The learning process does not stop when you get a managerial job, so it's great to come here and exchange ideas."