Euro 2016 qualification for Scots 'would be tribute to David Taylor'

David Taylor was Uefa general secretary

New Scottish Football Association president Alan McRae says qualifying for Euro 2016 would be the perfect tribute to its late chief executive.

David Taylor, who died last summer, had an instrumental role in having the tournament expanded to 24-teams while working as Uefa's general secretary.

"It would be fantastic if Scotland could take their place in France next summer." said McRae.

"It would be a fitting tribute to the memory of the late David Taylor."

McRae, the former Cove Rangers chairman who was chosen to replace Campbell Ogilvie at the governing body's annual meeting, pointed out that Taylor had been a "prominent advocate for the expansion of the tournament".

Scotland lie third in qualifying Group D ahead of Saturday's game in Dublin against fourth-placed Republic of Ireland.

"I am extremely excited that the first official engagement will be such a massive qualifier," said McRae.

"I believe we are good enough to get a positive result and, given the results we have had under Gordon Strachan, I believe we can qualify for European Championships."