Although they have never qualified for the finals of a major tournament the Icelanders live in hope, reports Alan campbell

ALTHOUGH it has been ten years since Scotland qualified for the finals of a major championship, the barren years for Iceland have been endless. The country has never reached the last stages of the World Cup or the Euros.

As the president of the Football Association of Iceland, Geir Thorsteinsson, pointed out in an interview earlier this year the reason is fairly obvious. "Qualification for the World Cup finals is a main goal," he said, "but we have to be realistic.

"We have a population of just 300,000. It's a matter of making the most of our limited resources."

This was reflected in the Euro 2008 qualifiers, when Iceland finished sixth out of seven in their group. The Icelanders won two games, and drew two, but lost eight as they finished just above Lichtenstein. Nevertheless this modern and progressive country is still capable of making life difficult for Scotland in the group.

The nations have played four times, with Scotland winning every one, but even in 1985 when we could field a side including Gordon Strachan and Graeme Souness in midfield the score was only 1-0 in Reykjavik. And it took a late goal from Jim Bett to secure the victory.

Nor, despite an earlier 2-0 win in Iceland, was it much easier when the return European Championship qualifier was played at Hampden in 2003. Kenny Miller, on the occasion of his competitive debut for Scotland, fired an early goal but it was met with Eidur Gudjohnsen's second-half equaliser. Relief finally came when Lee Wilkie made it 2-1.

Despite their lowly placing in the world rankings - they currently nestle at 107th, between Sudan and Ethiopia - Iceland can still call on players of the quality of Gudjohnsen. He's unlikely to be too tired when the Scotland match is played in Reykjavik on Wednesday either as he rarely makes a start for his club, Barcelona.

The 29-year-old is likely to have to make a decision on his career soon, despite the fact that his family are settled in the Catalan city and enjoy the lifestyle there. Gudjohnsen is now well down the pecking order, whether as an attacking midfielder or secondary striker, but that is unlikely to affect his performances for Iceland and one of George Burley's key strategies for the midweek match will be finding a way to contain the former Bolton and Chelsea player.

"Because he is not playing much at Barcelona, he will be eager to show what he can do in the World Cup qualifiers," confirmed one Icelandic journalist.

There is a keenness in Iceland to get on with the World Cup campaign after the disappointment of the European Championship qualifiers which started so promisingly with a 3-0 win over Northern Ireland in Belfast.

The Icelanders went on to complete the double at home, but these were their only wins - and even a country so low in the rankings was embarrassed at taking just one point out of a possible six against Lichtenstein. But then again a 1-1 home draw against the eventual tournament winners, Spain, was an indication of how Iceland can rise to the occasion.

The new team is a blend of emerging young players and experience, but despite the presence of Gudjohnsen they often struggle to score goals despite their brief spree in Belfast. Apart from that, there were only seven in eleven games and they also lost heavily in several matches - including a 5-0 defeat in Sweden.

Nearly all the players in the current squad are employed outwith Iceland, but if only Gudjohnsen plays for a marquee club there are plenty of experienced competitors for the coach, Olafur Johannesson, to choose from.

In terms of Wednesday's match, the Icelanders have been encouraged by the fact that Barry Ferguson will not be able to play. The Rangers and Scotland captain featured in both the Euro 2004 qualifying games which Scotland won, and which provided a rare shaft of light for the then manager Berti Vogts.

Burley's Scotland are a much more confident, and competent, outfit but there will be no room for complacency in Reykjavik on Wednesday.