Boyd is hoping to start against Georgia and Italy in Scotland next two Group B matches, and Severin insists the 23-year-old can do damage to any team.

Severin was part of the Aberdeen side who could only watch in awe as Boyd rattled a hat-trick past them in 31 minutes to hand Rangers a 3-0 win at the weekend.

Now both men are on the same side and the Dons midfielder has no doubts about Boyd's ability to defy the odds and keep Scotland at the summit of their qualifying group.

Severin said: "While he was at Rangers, he hadn't scored much against Aberdeen and that was one of the things we thought we had done well.

"Then he scored three in 30 minutes on Saturday.

"All he needs is a half chance and he can put the ball in the net so, if he's given the opportunity, I'm sure he will put the ball in the net for us."

Boyd's critics claim he does not work hard enough and does little else but score goals, but Severin said: "He's a difficult player to come up against.

"People says he's lazy but he scores goals and he is doing a good job for Rangers at the moment.

"We thought we could have marked him out of the game on Saturday but he popped up with three goals.

"Maybe, apart from the three goals, he wasn't in the game but a good striker is always in those positions to score goals.

"I've noticed this season from playing against him that he is working a lot harder.

"He holds the ball up quite well and he's trying to improve his game. And he also has the knack of putting the ball in the back of the net."

Alex McLeish takes charge of Scotland for the first time when Georgia come to Hampden on Saturday.

Severin is hoping the absence of Manchester United's Darren Fletcher through injury will provide him with the opportunity to impress his new national team boss.

"Darren Fletcher is a really good player but I think I've got my own qualities," said Severin.

"I can just sit in in midfield and let the other boys go forward, but I'll just have to see what will happen.

"I'll work my socks off all week in training and take it from there.

"My club form has been okay at the moment and hopefully the manager has noticed that.

"I will just have to wait until later in the week when he names the team."

Most of the hype surrounding the two matches has centred on next Wednesday's clash with World Cup winners Italy.

But Severin insists that not only is the visit of Georgia bigger than the trip to Bari, it can also be considered more important than the match Scotland played - and won - against France earlier in the campaign.

"It's bigger than the France game," he insisted. "People weren't expecting us to take anything from that game but we got the points.

"This game is a must-win if we want to continue the way we have been going.

"The squad is buzzing at the moment. Everyone wants to be involved and I personally want to be involved.

"We will just try to keep the momentum going at home and try to get the three points."