Former Italy coach Marcello Lippi insists Scotland are capable of rivalling the Azzurri and France for qualification to Euro 2008.
Lippi led Italy to World Cup glory last year in Germany, however their form has been mixed in the ongoing European Championship qualifying campaign.
Ukraine, Scotland and France have 12 points and Italy have 10, however Scotland have played six matches where the other three from the leading quartet in seven-team Group B have played just five.
Italy beat the Scots 2-0 in Bari in March, to gain a strong footing in the group, but Alex McLeish's side remain in with a shout of a top-two finish and qualification for the finals in Austria and Switzerland.
Lippi, who resigned after the World Cup to be replaced by Roberto Donadoni, told BBC1 Reporting Scotland: "Definitely they have a chance. They've been excellent so far.
"Italy will have, in early September, two difficult encounters against Ukraine and France so the qualification is still in the balance."
Ukraine, Scotland and France have 12 points and Italy have 10, however Scotland have played six matches where the other three from the leading quartet in seven-team Group B have played just five.
Italy beat the Scots 2-0 in Bari in March, to gain a strong footing in the group, but Alex McLeish's side remain in with a shout of a top-two finish and qualification for the finals in Austria and Switzerland.
Lippi, who resigned after the World Cup to be replaced by Roberto Donadoni, told BBC1 Reporting Scotland: "Definitely they have a chance. They've been excellent so far.
"Italy will have, in early September, two difficult encounters against Ukraine and France so the qualification is still in the balance."
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