WORLD CUP legend Lothar Matthaus reckons the South Africa finals are incomplete without SCOTLAND.
The German idol and 1990 winning captain is a massive fan of the Scots and the passionate Tartan Army.
And last night he told SunSport it's about time that the Dark Blues started qualifying again for major tournaments.
The 49-year-old ex-Bayern Munich and Inter Milan superstar misses watching us play on the world's biggest stage.
It's now 12 years since our last appearance - at France 98.
Former midfield general Matthaus appeared in five finals and boasts more World Cup games than any other player with 25.
He faced up to Scotland at Mexico 86, outsmarting Graeme Souness in a game which saw West Germany fight back from conceding a shock Gordon Strachan opener to claim victory.
The memory has never left him.
Matthaus - a record 150 caps for his country before retiring in 2000 - said: "I well remember the match. We won 2-1 after Scotland had left us worried.
"Scotland had a very good team then and were unlucky not to do better in Mexico.
"To play against Graeme Souness was nothing special for me - because I played against a LOT of top players in my career over 20 years.
"Strachan also played and he scored.
"I liked him a great deal. I thought he was a strong player with plenty of skill.
"Strachan never gave up - and I believed he had everything you need to be a good player.
"I have missed for a long time seeing your national team play in a really big tournament. Scotland is a real football country and I always enjoy seeing you play at a World Cup or Euro Championships.
"And your supporters are incredible, they bring so much colour to these events.
"I was very disappointed that Scotland failed to make South Africa. I'm sure the team and the fans would've brought a lot to the finals.
"I really don't understand why Scotland are not playing in tournaments now.
"You have to get back soon. I miss the Scotland team at the big competitions, I really do. I would like to know reasons for your failure to qualify.
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"I can understand that you no longer have players like Souness, Kenny Dalglish and Strachan.
"But is the system so wrong that Scotland cannot produce other top players?
"When I see your results, then you cannot be satisfied."
Matthaus was once listed by Pele as one of the greatest living players, while Diego Maradona said of him: 'He is the best rival I've ever had.'
For 20 years he was an inspirational figure at club and international level.
However, despite title wins at Red Bull Salzburg and Partizan Belgrade, Matthaus has had to largely endure disappointment as a gaffer.
Now he looks at Joachim Loew's Germany side - stunning 4-0 winners over Australia in their opener before crashing to Serbia yesterday - and REFUSES to get carried away by their hopes for a fourth World Cup triumph.
Matthaus said: "The opening win for Germany gave the team a lot of confidence.
"We have many young players involved in their first World Cup finals. To get a victory in their first game was very important.
"And to get such a great start was perfect. Germany scored four goals - but we could've had three or four more.
"But we have to remember that Australia played very badly. They were not in good condition and were not well organised.
"We will have to show so much more. But I believe we have players with the potential to make sure Germany can be successful over the next 10 years.
"Thomas Mueller has impressed me."
Franz Beckenbauer blasted Fabio Capello's England, accusing them of playing 'kick and rush' football.
But Matthaus won't stick the boot in as well - and he believes Frank Lampard is the closest player they have to him in his pomp.
He said: "England did not play very well against the USA but in the World Cup you look to improve with every game.
"England should still be respected. Other teams have not played well in their first games, like Brazil and Spain who are tipped strongly to win the World Cup.
"However, this happens. England, for me, are one of the favourites because they have very good players and a top coach.
"I like Fabio Capello, I like his style as a coach.
"But what he lacks is a class goalkeeper.
"I believe England have only had three top-class keepers in 60 years - Peter Shilton, Ray Clemence and Gordon Banks.
"Yet, in Germany we have never had the same problem. We still have many of them.
"I believe England should find a German goalkeeper and give him an English PASSPORT!
"Having a very good goalkeeper is extremely important."
Matthaus added: "I like Lampard very much.
"I see a lot of me in him. He is more of my style as a player than Steven Gerrard.
"Both, of course, are excellent players and when they play well together then the England team looks particularly good."
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