SCOTLAND'S crunch World Cup qualifier against Holland in Amsterdam is a sell-out more than a month before the game.

SCOTLAND'S crunch World Cup qualifier against Holland in Amsterdam is a sell-out more than a month before the game.

George Burley's side will be backed by 8000 fans in the 50,000-capacity AmsterdamArena with as many as 20,000 Tartan Army supporters expected to travel for the March 28 showdown.

A KNVB spokesman said: "There is a real hunger for the game in Holland and we have to also warn Scotland fans they will not be allowed into areas reserved for home supporters."

Scotland will wear a new, still-to-be-revealed away kit against the Dutch - and fans hope it won't be a jinx like before.

Scotland unveiled a new jersey for the Euro 2004 play-off against Holland in Amsterdam and were thrashed 6-0.

Tartan Army spokesman Hamish Husband said: "Players and fans can be superstitious so this might not be the best time to change things."

Meantime, SFA chief executive Gordon Smith has confirmed he will plead with Coca-Cola Championship clubs to rest Scotland players for the first game of next season in order to help George Burley's World Cup bid.

Burley last week won a concession from the SPL to postpone their kick-off to August 15 to give him extra time to prepare for the World Cup qualifier against Norway on Wednesday, August 12.

But a significant proportion of his squad play in England's second tier, which is scheduled to start on August 8.

Smith said: "It's going to be difficult. I can understand how they will feel - the first game of the season and we are asking them not to play key players - but all we can do is ask. It's not going to happen until such time when we know what the squad is."