GO DUTCH AND YOU'LL MAKE IT TO THE FINALS; ROAD TO SOUTH AFRICA 2010.

Byline: GAVIN BERRY

RAFAEL VAN DER VAART insists George Burley's players must show the spirit the Dutch displayed when Scotland pitched them into crisis six years ago.

The Real Madrid midfield ace came off the bench at Hampden in the Euro 2004 play-off but couldn't stop Holland's superstars slumping to a first-leg defeat after James McFadden's famous winner.

Van der Vaart remembers the furious backlash in his homeland following the shock setback that put Dick Advocaat's side on the brink of missing out on a major tournament.

But the determined Dutchmen responded in the perfect manner with a 6-0 thrashing of Berti Vogts' hapless side in the return in the Amsterdam ArenA.

Thrive

Now Van der Vaart says it's Scotland's turn to show character in their next two World Cup qualifiers against Macedonia and Holland.

And the 26-year-old - who is set to win his 70th cap in today's friendly against Japan in Enschede - knows Burley will find out just who are the big players in his squad over the next 180 minutes.

Van der Vaart said:"Wehavebeen in the situation Scotland are in now on many occasions and it's difficult for the players to perform because you feel the pressure a lot.

"The fear of losing is there because the media are speculating over the manager's future and things like that and it's not an easy situation to deal with. To be honest, that was the case for us when we last played Scotland at Hampden. Once we lost 1-0 in Glasgow there was a lot of pressure.

"Everyone was questioning the national team before the second leg and if we'd lost in Amsterdam then there would have been big problems.

"Scotland must now respond as we did six years ago in these next two games but I think players thrive on this situation because it's a chance to play in a big important game and answer your critics.You can see who is a big player and who is not."

Van der Vaart is convinced Scotland, who lost their opening qualifier 1-0 in Macedonia, will get their revenge today and set up a mouth-watering final Group Nine game on Wednesday. He insists the Balkan outfit are a different animal when they're not on their own patch.

Holland laboured to a single-goal win in Skopje but they thrashed Macedonia 4-0 - with Van der Vaart completing the rout - in the return.

Macedonia haven't scored in their two away games and Van der Vaart said:"Macedonia aren't as good away from home as they are in Skopje.

"When you play in Macedonia the pitch isn't the best and of course in the summer it's extremely hot so it's really difficult to play there.

"I'm sure Scotland are going to win but then they have to beat us and that will not be so easy.

"We don't have anything to play for in terms of qualification but we want to win every game and the manager has made that clear to us.

"It's a strange situation for us as it's the first time we've qualified so early in the group campaign so it's a new experience. However, it's important to be in the best shape when the World Cup comes around.

"In 2003 Scotland played with heart and when they do that it's difficult tobeatthem.Butwehadlots of problems in that game.

"This is a totally different team and we're much better than we were in that period. This is the best Holland team I've played in because of the quality young players we have, especially in attack, and we're hard to beat.

Noise

"I admire a lot of the Scottish players, such as Darren Fletcher and Alan Hutton who we see in the Premiership. Kenny Miller is also good but they have quality all over.

"They started well against us in Amsterdam in March and Miller had a good chance but we won the game and we're coming to Glasgow to do the same, no question.

"I came on as a substitute at Hampden in 2003 and I remember the game well.

"It was a difficult match but for young players such as myself and Wesley Sneijder it was great to be a part of an occasion like that.

"The atmosphere at Hampden was the best and it's always nice to play in Scotland.

"I also played for Ajax against Celtic in a Champions League qualifier and the noise in the stadium was unbelievable so I am looking forward to going back to Glasgow."

William HILL

BETBOX

SCOTLAND led at half-time in their two Group Nine victories over Iceland. To be in front at the interval today you can have 6-5. Mr Fixit

CAPTION(S):

DUTCH MASTER: Van der Vaart celebrates a goal for Holland and, right, the midfielder tussles with McFadden