George Burley dipped into Scotland's World Cup memories last night to inspire his squad to end a decade-long exile from football's grandest stage and qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The new national manager premiered a rousing version of Scotland's greatest hits on the second day of the international get-together at Cameron House Hotel on the banks of Loch Lomond.

The carefully edited footage included Archie Gemmill's iconic goal against the Netherlands at Argentina 1978, David Narey's infamous toe-poke' against Brazil in 1982, Gordon Strachan's memorable celebration at Mexico 86 and Craig Brown's kilt-clad squad as they opened France 98 against the world champions, Brazil.

Burley's attempt to stoke the enthusiasm fuelled by Scotland's narrow failure to reach the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland has undertones of Ally McLeod's legendary amateur psychology but the latest inheritor of the nation's football aspirations believes dipping into a distinguished past will enhance his future plans.

"I will be showing them the World Cup finals that Scotland have been involved in," said Burley, previewing his intentions to the assembled media yesterday. "We will look back at all the great memories, hoping that can inspire this team to 2010; that's ultimately what this team wants to achieve.

"We want to be competing again with the top nations and I think that will be worthwhile to stimulate the mental aspect of their game. We are eight games from qualification and that has to get drummed into them. Hopefully by looking over the old footage they can take inspiration.

"Only Christian Dailly and David Weir have experienced the finals so it will be good to give the rest an idea of what they can aspire to. Craig Brown was the last to take us to a World Cup so we will look at France 98 and I was a proud member of the 1982 squad in Spain. I will show all the highlights: Gemmill's goal, Narey's toe-poke and hope that will make the squad determined to make the World Cup the pinnacle of their career."

Burley met the squad for the first time on Sunday night and concluded an impassioned introductory speech by asking his players to outline their own objectives in international football. The emphatic response prompted last night's nostalgic viewing but Burley protested that this initial method of motivation was not merely a jingoistic gimmick.

"I got to meet the players this week and this get-together was a special one for me because I can try to outline my philosophy and get my message and vision across," he said.

"We did really well in the last European Championship qualifying campaign but we didn't take it that step further. That's what I have to achieve and in order to do that, we looked at the goals scored, the goals conceded and other turning points of the games in the previous qualifiers to see where we were strong and where we can improve. It has been a worthwhile gathering."

Burley's first squad selection has been an exercise in continuity. There were no surprise inclusions or exclusions, save for Steven Pressley's elevation from squad member to third musketeer in an eclectic coaching staff. Curiously, the 34-year-old will remain a Celtic player but will not be considered for international selection, even though he is three years younger than David Weir. As Terry Butcher's inaugural address, in standard-issue SFA fatigues, drew hearty laughs from an adjacent table, Burley offered a glowing appraisal of his new recruits.

"I needed top-quality assistance and people I know well and trust," he said. "Nationality was not an issue for me or the fact that Steven is three years younger than our oldest player. Terry is a big character, a good coach and a terrific motivator. Steven was my captain at Hearts, a leader on and off the field, and a man with all his coaching badges. He knows the players inside out and what makes them tick."

Surely the appointment of an Englishman and a rookie coach will leave him open to further scrutiny should Scotland falter in their opening qualification matches against Macedonia and Iceland. "In this job you will always be under pressure if you do not get the results," was Burley's knowing response.

His biggest dilemma is effectively out of his hands. On recent form, the 37-year-old Weir remains a pillar of the Scotland team but not even the Rangers veteran can gauge how long he can continue to defy the ageing process. Weir will be touching 40 come the World Cup finals but Burley has no inclination to expedite Weir's retirement plans.

"We spoke at breakfast today and I think David himself has been surprised how well the move to Rangers has gone," he said. "I watched him against Falkirk and he impressed me. I know he is getting old and can't go on forever but he is still performing at a high level and I won't be ruling him out."

The Scotland captain, Barry Ferguson, is seven years Weir's junior, nevertheless Burley believes the Rangers midfielder will be determined to avoid watching the parade go by for a final time.

"Barry is coming up for 30 and he will be thinking I want to lead this team into the finals'," he said, "otherwise, it is not going to happen for him or the other experienced players we have."

That sense of responsibility will have been intensified after last night's premiere.