GEORGE Burley is suddenly dreaming of the World Cup but admits he had not expected the call inviting him to become Scotland's new manager.

The former Southampton, Ipswich, Derby and Hearts boss considered himself a dark horse and confessed he was as surprised as anyone when he emerged as the Scottish Football Association's preferred candidate.

But, by the time he had delivered an astonishing speech at Hampden Park yesterday - confiding that he was tingling with excitement - it was easy to see how Burley managed to propel himself to the top of the list.

And, now that he has been installed as Alex McLeish's successor, Burley has vowed to end Scotland's long absence from major tournaments by steering his nation to the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

As a manager, it's a great honour to manage your country,'' he said. It's something you want to do if given the opportunity. I never thought it would ever happen.

When Scotland showed interest, there were so many excellent candidates with huge experience.

To be asked to be manager of your country is a great honour and something I'm really looking forward to.

After being a manager for almost 16 years now, I feel I'm ready for it and I'm pleased the SFA has shown belief in giving me the job.

As a Scotsman you have a vision to do well for your country and taking this job gives me the opportunity to do something, to try to get to a World Cup finals and, as a manager, you can't ask for any more than that.

There are tingles of excitement going through me thinking of it. Now the dream is to qualify for the World Cup. It's not going to be easy but there is that belief now.

I'm certainly up for the challenge.

Let's go for it and give it our best shot.'' Former Rangers manager Graeme Souness, Motherwell's Mark McGhee and Celtic coach Tommy Burns were all on the four-man shortlist and were all interviewed, with Souness perhaps expected to come out in front.

Burley continued: There were so many candidates and I was surprised to get the job. But maybe the SFA saw something that will help Scotland.

There were so many good managers who could have done the job and I'm sure the SFA would say that as well. But when you're choosing someone, there can only be one.

It's very important for me and for Scotland that everyone pulls together. Whoever got the job, it was important that everyone backed it. Everyone has their view and people will be surprised.

I won't be everyone's choice, that's for sure. But now we have to push on.''