FORMER Scotland striker Kevin Gallacher has called for a "final flourish" against world champions Italy next month as Alex McLeish's side go for the win they need to qualify for Euro 2008.

Scotland's 2-0 defeat to Georgia in Tbilisi means they now need three points against the Azzurri rather than one to be sure of qualification for the finals in Austria and Switzerland.

But former Blackburn striker Gallacher still feels Scotland will have nothing to lose at Hampden Park on November 17, because no-one gave them a prayer in a group which also features World Cup finalists France and quarter-finalists Ukraine.

The Lancashire Telegraph columnist said: "It's a nice easy job isn't it - beat the world champions on your home patch. Why not? If we had beaten Georgia it would have been a lot easier to get into the mindset at home at Hampden.

"Hopefully, the lads can do it, we have gone so far. Nobody expected us to take this many points from this group anyway, so let's have a final flourish against the Italians."

Gallacher admitted the defeat to an inexperienced Georgia side, who featured two 17-year-olds and a player who turns 17 today, was "disappointing".

"It was unbelievable," said the 40-year-old, who won 53 caps and played for his country at the 1998 World Cup, the last time Scotland qualified for a major finals.

"All the hype over here with the Scotland fans, everyone thinking this is our chance, there's a great chance to get three points, there are three teenagers in the (Georgia) side, a 17-year-old goalkeeper'.

"But I must admit the 17-year-olds were outstanding. Technically they were very good players. They ran out of steam at the end but that was inevitable because of the nervousness."