Alex McLeish claims his Scotland players could pay a hefty price if they get carried away by their recent run of success.The Scots face a pivotal clash against world champions Italy tomorrow.

Under former boss Walter Smith, Scotland's results improved and their rise to 16th in the Fifa world rankings is evidence of that. They stand top of Group B in the Euro 2008 qualifiers, but McLeish today warned: "It's important that we don't get carried away. There is a danger that if we get too cocky, we could be heading for a fall.

"They do say pride comes before a fall."

It was an optimistic Scotland squad who arrived at Glasgow Airport this morning for their flight to Bari, where tomorrow night they take on the team Roberto Donadoni inherited from Marcello Lippi last year.

Scotland's record in Italy shows they have lost on each of their five previous visits, scoring just once.

Boss McLeish added: "We will remember the progress we have made but we are playing Italy in Italy, and great Scottish managers in the past have gone there and failed."

McLeish is well aware of Italy's quality, even if they have not hit the heights of their World Cup triumph under new coach Donadoni.

"They've got flair, speed on the flanks, and enterprising full-backs," said McLeish. "They also have very good experience in the middle of the park, like (Gennaro) Gattuso and (Andrea) Pirlo. Luca Toni is also a handful for any defender in the world."