CRAIG BROWN will be looking for Kevin Gallacher to rekindle his goal-scoring touch to guide Scotland into the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in their history.

The shot-shy Scots are on the verge of making it to the second round for the first time in eight attempts and the Scotland manager knows that victory against Morocco on Tuesday would almost certainly secure their place.

Now he will be asking Gallacher to turn back the clock to last season where he grabbed 20 league and cup goals for Rovers and scored some vital goals in Scotland successful qualifying campaign.

Since qualifying for France, Gallacher has failed to find the net in any of the World Cup warm up games and has so far fired blanks in the two group matches against Brazil and in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Norway.

So while team-mate and captain of Scotland Colin Hendry has picked up the plaudits for his dominant displays in defence Gallacher knows he will be judged on how many goals he scores.

In fairness, Gallacher has done everything apart from score the goals and has looked sharp in both games so far. And Brown readily admits that he is one of his two first choice strikers.

In fact, Scotland could still make it through to the second round even if they draw with Morocco - but then it is a case of getting the calculator out!

For if Norway were to lost by two goals or more against Brazil while Scotland and Morocco play out a stalemate then Hendry and co would qualify thanks to a superior goal difference.

And if Scotland win and Norway managed to force a draw out of the brilliant Brazilians, who have already booked their place in round two, then it will still be enough for Brown's Tartan Army.

Hendry and Gallacher could be joined in the starting line-up by Billy McKinlay in what most surely rank as the most important game of their international careers.

McKinlay's room-mate Darren Jackson will miss the game through suspension after picking up his second booking of the tournament against Norway.

Although McKinlay did not figure in the game, Brown could pick him as the midfield anchorman and allow the creative John Collins and Paul Lambert to use the skills further up the field.

Meanwhile Rovers are on course to beat Marseille for the signing of French star Sebastian Perez who would be their fourth signing of the summer.

The Bastia defender made his second visit to Ewood Park this week and he could sign in a £2.5 million deal by the end of the week. It would mean he would follow Jim Corbett, Kevin Davies and Darren Peacock to Ewood Park.

Stuart Ripley continues to be linked with a move away from Ewood Park and Southampton are apparently the latest team to be linked with the winger.

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