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Scotland has raised eyebrows across Europe by preventing France and Italy from dominating their European Championship qualifying group.

The three-way tussle for two Euro 2008 berths may be decided Saturday, when the Scots can eliminate world champion Italy with a win at Hampden Park.

Even former players are dazzled by the sudden strength of Scotland, which has persistently underachieved and never captured a major title.

"It's not the best group that Scotland have ever had, but they are playing as a unit," said Graham Souness, who played 77 games for Scotland. "They are together and both the mangers that have had this group have got the most from the players _ and that's all a manager can do.

"They've been clever with their tactics, been well organized a ridden their luck at times and that's why they are in the situation they are in."

Scotland has won eight of its 11 matches, including two celebrated victories over France under both Walter Smith and Alex McLeish. The revival survived Smith's potentially destabilizing exit to Rangers in January.

"Tactically they are aware, they are doing all the right things during the game and I hope they do the same on Saturday," Souness said. "That will be a hard, hard ask for them."

A sixth straight home win would send Scotland to its first major tournament in a decade _ and its third European finals. A draw would leave the team relying on Ukraine upsetting France on Wednesday.

Souness, a former manager at Rangers and Liverpool, said the Scots have "a fighting chance" to decide matters on their own.

"The Italians on the domestic scene don't step out and chase games, so they will be going to Hampden, sitting in, waiting for Scotland to step out and hopefully punish them," he said. "For Scotland's part, they have to play a very, very clever game. I would sit tight, I wouldn't step out and instead try to get something from a set piece."

Scotland's recent soccer successes haven't been limited to the national team. Both Rangers and Celtic are in strong positions for progressing into the Champions League knockout phase.

"There's a bit of a glow going on at this time," said Souness, who will don a jersey and scarf and, with his son, join the 52,000 fans expected at Hampden Park.

The Scotland manager is aware of the national unity his team has generated.

"We've certainly captured the imagination of the nation _ there has been so much goodwill over the last few months," McLeish said. "We have to win the game to cement it."