Goals from Shaun Maloney, a 22-yard free-kick, and Garry O'Connor, who followed up when his header was saved, secured the three crucial points at the Toftir Stadium.

And despite Scotland being forced to deal with a far stronger Faroes side after the break, McLeish believes the class of 2007 can go on to achieve great things.

McLeish said: "It has been a terrific season and it must be up there with anything any Scotland team has achieved in the past.

"We had to dig out a result tonight but we came to a tough venue to take the three points and that's what we have done."

France and Italy remain the favourites to qualify from Group B but McLeish has urged Scotland to push last year's World Cup finalists all the way.

His team face Lithuania at Hampden in September in the next game and the Scotland boss has targeted another three points.

He said: "I'm not making any rash predictions, we will continue to do our best.

"We know that France and Italy will be the favourites to the very end but we must look forward, try to win the next game, and we must try to put ourselves in a good position.

"If we go into the last game (against Italy) still with a vested interest, everyone will be delighted."