Alex McLeish today looked ahead optimistically to the 2010 World Cup qualifiers after the bitter disappointment of missing out on Euro 2008.
The Scots were paired with Holland, Norway, Macedonia and Iceland and McLeish admitted it could have been far worse.
"I can't be too unhappy - so bring it on," said McLeish.
"Obviously the Dutch are a good side but we don't fear anyone. As we proved against Italy and France, they will face a very difficult game when they come to Glasgow.
"Equally we can go to away grounds and do ourselves credit."
The Dutch trounced Scotland 6-1 on aggregate in a play-off for the 2004 European Championships - winning 6-0 after losing 1-0 at Hampden Park - but McLeish said there would be no repeat.
"It would be great to put one over on them," said the former Rangers manager.
"We are a much better team now than when they beat us heavily in Amsterdam. That night was a freak, six shots, six goals but the players I have at my disposal are capable of competing against anybody.
"They won't open us up like they did that night."
Norway marginally failed to qualify for Euro 2008 after losing out to Greece and Turkey while McLeish will not have the luxury of playing against an out-and-out minnow after being placed in the only group of five teams.
Iceland, the bottom-placed team, have plenty of players with Premier League experience while Macedonia proved when drawing with England that they will be no pushovers.
"Norway should not be under-estimated, they are a very dangerous team," said McLeish, whose side will begin its campaign next August. "Like us, they will be disappointed not to have qualified for the Euros."
McLeish has been widely linked with the vacant role at Birmingham but declined to speculate on whether he will still be Scotland boss by the time the 2010 qualifiers start.
"I don't know if I'm ready for a return to club football yet," said the former Rangers and Hibernian boss.
"To be honest, I still haven't got over what happened against Italy even though I know I've got to get the nation going again.
"It's just that the way we lost was pretty brutal. Italy always seem to get the job done ."
Before the qualifiers begin, the Scots, who last appeared in a major competition in 1998, could find themselves playing in the Celtic Cup - though not including England.
"I'm not 100% in favour of it but I can see the positives," McLeish said.
"I'd love to play England but perhaps they feel they have bigger fish to fry."
Dutch coach Marco van Basten, who played against Scotland as well as Celtic and Rangers as a player, said he knew his side faced two tough games.
He said: "If they really play Scottish football, with a lot of high balls and very physical, it'll be difficult. That's what I remember as a player.
"In the last few qualifiers they fought until the last moment. Scottish football is doing well at present."
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