Ferguson not easing up

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However, after eight games Alex McLeish's men are one point behind leaders France and one point ahead of World Cup-holders Italy and Ferguson, who will return to the side against the French at the Parc des Princes after serving a one-game ban, now hopes to guide Scotland to their first major tournament since the 1998 World Cup.

He said: "No-one gave us a chance when the draw was made. I even thought to myself, 'Oh no, here we go again', but fair play to the lads, we've done so well to get to this stage. Now we're here we don't want to let it slip away."

The Rangers midfielder added: "This is the closest I've ever come to reaching a major championships. We're so close but yet still so far away. I'd love to get the right result in Paris but let's not be kidded, it's going to be extremely difficult - it's a huge task.

"But look at our group, we are so close to our greatest achievement ever and that's pushing us on."

Scotland beat France 1-0 at Hampden Park earlier in the campaign thanks to a Gary Caldwell goal but Ferguson will not be fooled by what was a shock result.

He said: "It might take something similar in Paris. I thought the French were tremendous against us at Hampden last October. For 45 minutes they dominated the game and they had so much possession.

"But we had a gameplan which we stuck to and in the second half we pushed forward more. We played some good stuff, we got the goal and in the end we got the result. I'd settle for that again right now."