Scotland National Team: 10 Things That Need to Change to Qualify for Brazil 2014

World Cup 1998 is becoming a distant memory for me.

I vaguely remember crying as Scotland went down 2-1 to eventual finalists Brazil on the opening day.

I foggily recall the joy as Craig Burley equalised against Norway.

I also recollect the tears rolling down my Saltire-painted face, again, as we crashed out of the tournament after a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Morocco.

I may have only been six at the time of the finals in France, but the sheer joy of watching your country play on the biggest stage is unparalleled.

Sadly, we Scots haven't enjoyed that feeling for nearly 14 years now.

Last week's loss to Spain knocked us out of the running for the Euro 2012 playoffs at the expense of the Czech Republic. The focus now moves to the World Cup 2014 qualifiers, which kick off in 11 month's time.

However, Craig Levein's men face an incredibly daunting group, one which includes Croatia, Serbia, Belgium, Macedonia and Wales.

Nevertheless, we Scots are cheerily optimistic that, if results go our way, we can finally, finally relive the glorious moment when the Scottish national side walk out onto the park to play a World Cup match.

But—there are several things that need to change if this dream is ever to become a reality.

Let's have a look.

The Rangers 'keeper has held Scotland's No.1 jersey for some considerable time now.

However, prior to his injury, Sunderland's Craig Gordon was the man between the sticks.

Both goalkeepers are undoubtedly world-class, but I'd definitely recommend sticking with McGregor rather than the injury-prone Gordon.

Scotland have a plethora of talented young defenders—and it's about time Levein started using them.

The likes of Danny Wilson, Grant Hanley, Christophe Berra and Lee Wallace should really be permanent fixtures in the Scottish backline, replacing the likes of Gary "Bombscare" Caldwell and 30-year-old Steven Crainey.

Wilson and Hanley, in particular, should form a defensive partnership that could potentially last for over a decade. 

I don't think I'll ever forget the day that Craig Levein picked one of the strangest formations of all time.

It was October last year, and Scotland went into their away game with the Czech Republic playing a 4-6-0, despite the fact that the Czechs are not even close to the world-beaters they once were.

The game ended in a 1-0 loss for Levein's men, and we were the laughing stock of the world.

Never again.

Kenny Miller, despite serving Scotland well for the past few years, is now approaching his 32nd birthday.

In the last two qualifiers, the considerably younger duo of Craig Mackail-Smith and David Goodwillie showed that they were more than capable of filling the gap left by Miller, and I think it should stay that way.

Although Kenny has scored some crucial goals for us, it's time to move on.

And why not replace Kenny Miller with arguably the best Scottish striker around at the moment?

However, this is easier said than done, as Fletcher removed himself from selection after last year's 4-6-0 debacle.

The ex-Hibs forward has shown time and time again that he's the real deal in the Premier League, and the Tartan Army are dying for Levein to ask him back into the fold.

As many of you readers will be aware, Scotland aren't exactly renowned for being an exciting, attacking side.

Thirty years ago this was actually the case, but in today's footballing world, times have changed and Levein plays a more solid, consistent, defend-first-attack-later style of play.

But with a squad packed to the rafters with attacking, creative players like Charlie Adam, Barry Bannan, Robert Snodgrass, Shaun Maloney, Steven Naismith, Alan Hutton and James Forrest, why not try and play pretty football?

I firmly believe that if we had attacked in Prague last year, rather than sitting with our backs to the wall, we would've beaten the Czechs comfortably. We've got the ammunition, why don't we fire away?

He's arguably the best player in the squad right now.

So why take him off at halftime against Liechtenstein?!

Some of Levein's decisions have baffled me, but none more so than this. Liverpool's Charlie Adam, a man with a terrific eye for a pass and an excellent all-round game, should be the focal point of the national side—but he isn't.

It's time for Levein to let him off the leash.

Scotland haven't qualified for a major tournament for 14 years now, and this can't be allowed to go on any longer. 

The SFA needs to invest in the future of the Scottish game by building from the ground up.

The U17's, U19's and U21's squads need to be as good and as competitive as possible before they make the step up to the full squad, which leads me nicely onto...

As I've already touched upon, the old guard needs to go. Scotland's national team needs freshening up.

The likes of Gary Caldwell, Kenny Miller, Lee McCulloch and Steven McManus have to go.

Danny Wilson, Steven Fletcher, Robert Snodgrass, James Forrest, David Goodwillie and Co. can usher in a new era in the country's footballing history.

This is perhaps the biggest factor in whether or not Scotland qualify for Brazil 2014.

Just how dedicated to the cause are the players?

In the past, up to a dozen or more players have decided not to play for Scotland, whether it's down to "injuries" or worrying about a potential injury that could ruin their club form.

These excuses have to go. In my mind, there's no prouder moment for a player than to pull on his country's jersey.

Let's hope the team remembers that as they kick off the qualifiers in a year's time.