Scots yearn for the big time

Scotland has not qualified for a FIFA World Cup or UEFA European championship since it made the group stages at France 98.

Levein's side missed out on EURO 2012 after finishing behind Spain and Czech Republic, but the Scots put on two encouraging displays against the world and European champion.

Scotland has been drawn in a difficult qualifying group for Brazil 2014 along with Croatia, Serbia, Belgium, Macedonia and Wales.

The Scotland boss has been encouraged by a recent friendly 3-1 win over Australia, however, and is hopeful the team can challenge for qualification.

"I am very confident. This is the strongest squad I've had for a while so we are ready to go," Levein said.

"The reason I took the job is to qualify for a major competition.

"I was fortunate to play in Italia 90 so having experienced that, it is in my head that I want to qualify with Scotland as the manager

"There is no bigger incentive for any Scotsman than that."

Levein, who starts his qualifying campaign at home against Serbia on 8 September, is confident he has the calibre of player he needs to succeed in qualifying.

"The squad is improving individually, there are a lot of the players playing in the Premier League now," said Levein, who was speaking at the Vauxhall Road to Brazil 2014 media conference in London.

"A few years ago there were five or six players playing in the Premier League and now it's 16 so that's the indication of level they are playing at.

"International football is at a similar level to the Premier League so if you can play week in week out at that level they will be able to transfer that to international level."