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Former European Cup winner Dejan Savicevic has warned that new nation Montenegro will be a tough nut to crack in World Cup qualifying.

"We are capable of playing good football and making our presence felt although world champions Italy and Bulgaria are the favourites to finish top," the Montenegrin Football Federation president told Reuters.

"I am convinced they [the players] will rise to the occasion.

"The other teams are good too as clubs from Cyprus have demonstrated their quality in Europe while Ireland and Georgia should not be underestimated either," added Savicevic, who won the European Cup as a player with Red Star Belgrade and Milan.

Montenegro, who host Bulgaria on Saturday and Ireland on September 10 in the capital of Podgorica, gained independence when breaking away from the state union with Serbia in 2006.

The World Cup represents the Adriatic republic's competitive debut in international soccer and Savicevic is confident the pressure will bring the best out of a talented team containing several high-profile players.

"We have performed reasonably well in friendlies but this is an entirely new game and it will be a real test of will and character for the players," he said.

"The opening match with Bulgaria can't come soon enough for them. Our ambition is to keep the group wide open until the very end and get into a position to cause an upset but it would be audacious to make any promises on our competitive debut.

"It's a very difficult group and our opening two matches will show how much progress we have made in the last two years."

Montenegro lack steel at the back and experience in midfield but they have strong attacking options in Roma striker Mirko Vucinic and Fiorentina teenager Stevan Jovetic.

The duo have linked up well with Sporting Lisbon playmaker Simon Vukcevic while Red Star's Igor Burzanovic was also outstanding in a 3-1 win over Norway in March.

Savicevic hopes the team's fighting spirit can ensure a winning start in the World Cup.

"We know our strengths and weaknesses and we are determined to produce the best performances we possibly can," he said.

"The lads are eager to delight the fans at the start of a very long road and I know they will play their hearts out."

Reuters