Craig Brown is renowned, and occasionally lampooned, for his attention to detail. Yet the former Scotland manager has already played a vital role in George Burley's extensive preparation for Saturday's World Cup qualification curtain raiser against Macedonia.

Brown made a 30-minute Powerpoint presentation to the squad in a meeting room at Cameron House Hotel, Loch Lomond, on Thursday night. The 66-year-old was dispatched on a reconnaissance mission to study Macedonia's final warm-up match against Luxembourg. He returned laden with vital statistics Burley hopes will arm the squad for a trip into the unknown that will shape Scotland's prospects in Group 9.

From the well-known threat of Goran Pandev, Macedonia's marquee player from SS Lazio, to the intricacies of Srecko Katanec's 3-4-3 system, Brown's seminar has removed the veil of mystique surrounding the former Yugoslavian republic.

"It was very informative," said James Morrison, one of Burley's most recent conscripts. "We went through a few of the highlights from their games, the system they use, their set-pieces and the players they have.

"The talk lasted about 30 minutes but it was worth it and was very thorough. We did pick out a couple of weaknesses but we will keep them to ourselves for obvious reasons. They play 3-4-3 which is different to what we have been used to and we know about how good Pandev is. Ultimately, it is in our hands but we have been given the best information and have had the best plans."

Morrison's rise to prominence has been aided by the grandparent rule that Brown himself utilised to cap Don Hutchison, Matt Elliott and Neil Sullivan in a previous era. Born in Doncaster, and having represented England from schoolboy to under-21 level, his eligibility was highlighted by Alex McLeish along with Steve Howard, of Derby County, and Gabriel Agbonlahor, of Aston Villa.

He featured in an international gathering under McLeish last year but injuries forced his withdrawal from the first two squads in which he was included, against South Africa and Republic of Ireland in a B international.

Morrison made his debut against Czech Republic in Prague as a left midfielder and continued to enhance his experience in the 0-0 draw against Northern Ireland. With Burley again hit by call-offs - six at the last count - Morrison is expected to start on the left side again in Skopje.

His versatility was integral to West Bromwich Albion's promotion from the Coca-Cola Championship and Tony Mowbray, the manager at the Hawthorns, was an interested spectator on Morrison's home international debut last month. He has started the domestic season as a holding midfielder but it is on the left Burley aims to utilise his pace and precision passing.

"It is a great honour for me because this is my first campaign and I am still young," said the 24-year-old. "These are exciting times for me and for Scotland."

Morrison may not have been involved in Scotland's rousing, if ultimately disappointing, qualification campaign for Euro 2008 but he has been exposed to the afterglow long enough to predict another enduring challenge against the group favourites, Holland.

"We have shown before we can match our passion with the best and we know we have to be at the top of our game," he said. "In the Euro 2008 qualifiers, the guys helped put Scotland back on the football map and we want to do it again and go one better.

"We are entering the World Cup campaign with confidence and if we play to our strengths, I am sure we will have no worries."

First, the searing heat of Skopje will give Scotland an instant indication of the challenge ahead, before they embark on another perilous journey to Iceland, the least-fancied team in the five-team group despite the presence of Eidur Gudjohnsen, of Barcelona "This is a massive game and it is always important to get a good start in the qualification campaign," said Morrison. "Macedonia are a proud country with good players and it will not be easy going out there, especially with the weather."

For one game only, Burley may have to shelve his commendable intention to improve on the previous campaign by promoting flair and invention. "We obviously can't be too reckless but we will see how the game is panning out first: there is nothing wrong with trying to nick a 1-0 win away from home," said Morrison.