© Reuters 2002

GLASGOW, Oct 30 (Reuters) - The Scottish Football Association (SFA) has moved to improve the infrastructure of youth football in Scotland by creating hundreds of coaching posts.

The SFA announced at Hampden Park on Wednesday that it hopes to recruit and train volunteers, from primary schools and youth clubs in Scotland, in the basics of coaching youngsters.

SFA chief executive David Taylor said fast food chain McDonald's had made a contribution to ensure that 60,000 Scottish school children will receive free coaching over the next four years.

"We have stated our aim is to improve football at every level in this country and this partnership with McDonald's is crucial to our work in the community," Taylor told reporters.

Scotland recently drew 2-2 with the Faroe Islands in a Euro 2004 qualifier and slumped to an all-time low of 63rd in FIFA's world rankings under German coach Berti Vogts.

Wins over Iceland and Canada last month has restored some of the country's battered credibility in their national sport.

Scotland's next competitive match is a Euro 2004 qualifier against Iceland in March.