Burley's Scots 'in driving seat' worldcup ROUND-UP.

SCOTLAND boss GEORGE BURLEY yesterday turned up the heat on Norway by claiming defeat in Holland on Wednesday night would leave their World Cup qualifying hopes hanging by a thread.

Burley watched Egil Olsen's men held to a goalless draw in Macedonia on Saturday as they extended their winless run in Group Nine to four matches.

At the start of the qualifying campaign, Norway were thought to be Scotland's chief rivals for the runners-up spot but defeat in Rotterdam in midweek would leave them rock bottom of the table and four points adrift of Burley's side.

He said: "Norway need points now; they've only got three points so far; they need to get things moving."

He added: "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 be any competitive action for the players, which is not ideal."

Nevertheless, Burley reckons Scotland are firmly "in the driving seat" to finish second after all their rivals dropped points this weekend.

Holland won in Iceland to seal their place at next summer's finals.