KEVIN Gallacher is chasing a double dream of his first World Cup goal and a place in Scottish history in France tonight.
The Scots head for Saint-Etienne knowing that a win over Morocco coupled with anything less than a Norwegian victory against Brazil will take Scotland into the last 16 for the first time ever.
And Gallacher would be immediately elevated to greatness north of the border if he could find the net and secure progress from Group A.
"The perfect script would be just to get to the second round no matter who scores the goals but to get through and score would be great," admitted the Blackburn Rovers striker.
"I don't feel there's any need for me to feel under pressure because winning is what matters, though scoring a World Cup goal would be the best thing ever to happen to me."
Gallacher, who scored six goals in qualifying and who has struck up a potentially fruitful partnership with Gordon Durie, added: "There's a problem in that the strikers are doing a lot of set-ups, which means we rely on the midfielders to get upfield and be on the end of the chances we're creating. "It's a hard job for them to get into the box but any chances I do have I want to take. I'm confident we'll create openings that myself and Gordon can take advantage of.
"I know our goal against Brazil was a penalty and the Norway goal was from midfield but a victory against Morocco is more important than who scores.
"Just to get on the scoresheet would deflect some of the attention on me and it would mean a lot but reaching the second stage would be even better."
To fulfill their dreams and those of the Scots' passionate following, Gallacher is calling for another Braveheart-style performance to match those they gave against World Champions Brazil and in coming from behind to draw with Norway.
He stated: "I think after the things that were said about us we got the bit between our teeth.
"We were all over Norway and when they scored just after half-time it was a bit disappointing but it just showed the true grit, determination and skill level Scotland has. We pulled it back and overran them again towards the end and could have scored a lot more."
Morocco were outplayed by Brazil in losing 3-0 but showed in their 2-2 draw against Norway what a dangerous side they can be.
In midfielder Hadji they have a potential matchwinner and can still qualify themselves. "It's a big cup final," added Gallacher. "You can't take any game easily and we will go out with the same approach we had against Norway and hopefully get a victory.
"We aren't about to underestimate Morocco, they've done well for two games, but so have we and we know what we're capable of tonight."
The fortunes of Scotland - who could even sneak through with a draw - do not lie solely in their own hands as Norway could yet scupper their hopes with an unlikely win in Marseille.
But that would seem unlikely and the promised land, and the biggest party Avignon has ever seen, awaits.
"Our main ambition was to get to the second round and be the first Scotland side to do so. It has been a very hard section but we have never lost our beliefs," Gallacher stressed.
Gallacher's Blackburn team-mate Billy McKinlay has seen his World Cup dream ended by an abdomen injury which will require surgery and he is heading home for treatment.
Scotland (probable): Leighton (Aberdeen), Weir (Hearts), Hendry (Blackburn), Boyd (Celtic), McNamara (Celtic), Burley (Celtic), Collins (Monaco), Lambert (Celtic), Dailly (Derby), Durie (Rangers), Gallacher (Blackburn).
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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