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Scotland face Maceconia in their World Cup Group 9 qualifier on Saturday needing a first win against the Balkan state.

The sides have only played once before, in the 1-0 win for the Macedonians in Skopje on September 6, 2008.

It has been a difficult 20 months for George Burley's Scotland, who have won only twice in 10 games - both matches against Iceland - and slipped from 14th to 30th in the world rankings since he took over in January 2008.

Victory is imperative as, while they lie second in the group with a game in hand over Macedonia, even a runners-up slot is not good enough to guarantee a play-off.

The Dutch have already won the group and qualified for South Africa 2010.

Scotland have failed to reach the last six international championship finals, with France 98 their only time in 16 years.

Their poor form is highlighted by the performances of Birmingham forward James McFadden (pictured), who has not scored in his last eight international games.

- Celtic midfielder Scott Brown has played 779 minutes of international football under Burley - more than any other player under the current management.

- Macedonia lost both of their WCQ away matches in this campaign without scoring - 1-0 in Iceland (October 2008) and 4-0 in the Netherlands (April 2008).

- Lazio striker Goran Pandev became Macdeonai's all-time record scorer with 17 international goals after he netted twice in their 3-2 home friendly defeat to Spain on August 12.

Eurosport