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.

Burley this week left Saints to take up the post after just over two years in charge at St Mary's.

He 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 this afternoon - 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 newly-inherited squad 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 faith and 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 for the job, 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 and hopefully I can be a successful Scotland manager.

"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."

Burley is keenly aware he has big boots to fill.

Walter Smith provided stability following the alarming decline of the Berti Vogts years, while McLeish restored belief by taking Scotland to the verge of Euro 2008.

That means instant pressure falls on Burley's shoulders but he is far from fazed by the challenge.

"I want to put pressure on myself," he insisted. "We want to qualify and, if I can get Scotland to qualify for the World Cup, that would be my achievement and then we take it from there.

"Of course there is pressure. Walter Smith and Alex McLeish have done fantastically but my criteria is to get to a World Cup finals and we've got to try to go that one step further.

"That's the challenge and, if you don't want to put yourself under pressure, don't do it.

"I believe we can qualify. We are in a tough group and you have to say Holland are favourites but it's certainly possible with the form the team has shown.

"The rankings have shot up to 14th and the squad is great. But the key is to keep improving."

Smith lasted two years in the job; McLeish just 10 months. The SFA admit there are no guarantees their new manager will go the distance either.

Burley, who expects to confirm a part-time assistant early next week, said: "It won't be my last job.

"But I will certainly be here for the next campaign, then we look at it after the World Cup. I've got a contract until 2012 and I'm fully committed.

"I only have one thought at the moment, two-and-a-half years, that's it.

"That's the focus. It's a challenge I'm ready for and I'm really looking forward to it.

"I didn't expect the Scotland job to come up but the timing is right and that is key. I think it's going to be an exciting time.''