CHRIS BURKE and his Scotland team-mates refuse to accept their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign will not start for real until they play Georgia next month in Glasgow -even if the bookies have written them off when they face Germany tomorrow.

Gordon Strachan's players will travel to Dortmund confident they can cause a shock against the world champions. And they believe they have the results and the quality to back up their belief.

Winger Burke epitomises the feel-good factor coursing through the group and he said: "We have shown we can win games, not just compete in them.

"We have had good results in the past year, including a win against Croatia when no one really gave us a chance.

"I believe we have talented players in this team and we are very organised. And that is a great balance.

"There is no doubt we can win games with the talent in this squad."

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan will not name his side until just before kick-off but insists any success will come from utilising his squad to maximum effect.

Burke said: "The gaffer has told us it's not just the starting eleven he wants to know their job, it's the full squad.

"He got that across to us quickly and clearly. You can see that with the boys who've been asked to step in. They have done very, very well."

Burke is confident that Scotland have enough good players to deliver the result which would get our quest for a place at France 2016 off to a flyer before next month's home tie against Georgia.

He cites the players who have been omitted from the current squad as proof that Scotland is on the rise - as has been reflected in our progress up the Fifa rankings.

The Nottingham Forest winger said: "What Gordon has done is to get the best out of every player. That's all you can ask for from a manager.

"The boys have responded well to what he's been asking them to do. In every position we have good cover and competition, which is important. Now we come to the games glad to be involved because we can see the players being left out.

"A lot of good players have not made it into the squad, even though they're playing for their clubs. So I feel lucky to be here."

Burke is adamant this is no false dawn for the national team and is confident even better times lie ahead.

"We've progressed so much in the past year," he insisted. "There are only positives to be taken. You can see with the way we are playing that we are doing what is asked of us. Everyone knows their job in the team. That has brought the results which I think we have deserved."

Burke has played a key role in this resurgence under Strachan and wants to add to his seven caps - and two goals - for his country tomorrow.

"The manager has selected me since he came into the job and I am grateful for that," said the former Rangers star.

"It is such a hard squad to get into, you don't want to drop out once you're here."