And he wouldn’t be surprised if the region was to field its own team within the next decade.

Many top players from the Scottish Borders switched codes during the first half of the 20th century to play professionally in the north of England.

The migration may have stopped in recent decades but the appetite for rugby league hasn’t diminished.

McCormack, who guided Scotland to a quarter-final place in last year’s World Cup and saw them lift the European Cup on Sunday, is confident the sport will continue to grow north of the border.

Steve told us: “It is a long-term aim of ours for a Super League team to be playing in Scotland.

“We are doing well at international level - last year’s World Cup was our highest ever finish and we are beating teams like Wales and Ireland in the European Cup. We also have an excellent Under 19s team who are winning games. The future is bright for the international team but we know that eventually we need professional rugby league to be played up here.” McCormack has been in charge of Scotland for exactly half of their 20 years existence.

And he has watched many youngsters progress from part-time players with clubs like Edinburgh Eagles and Easterhouse Panthers to the top Super League teams. He added: “We have a really young squad who learn greatly from our Super League players.

“Moving to a full-time Super League team brings the boys on and a Super League team in Scotland would be brilliant for the future of the sport in this country. The Borders has a rich history of rugby - wouldn’t it be great if a rugby league team played here.” Scotland’s national team was formed in 1994.

And they made their World Cup debut in 2000 when they were defeated by New Zealand and Samoa in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

There was strong criticism at the time as none of the 24-man squad was born in Scotland.

The Bravehearts won their first match on home soil four years later against Wales with over 1,000 supporters witnessing the 30-22 success.

A 21-year-old unknown called Danny Brough was instrumental in the victory.

Under coach McCormack Scotland won a double header with Wales to qualify for the 2008 World Cup - a tournament where they finished eighth out of the ten competing teams.

In the same year the Great Britain team separated into individual nations.

Danny Brough, who was by this time captain of Scotland, opted for a switch to England.

But after only one cap in two years, the then Wakefield half-back returned to the country of his grandfather.

Danny, who won the Man of Steel award from Super League last year, has no regrets. The Scotland captain told us: “All my mates are here in the Scotland camp - for me it’s my country and my team. England turned my head but Steve (McCormack) gave me another chance and I’m thankful to him for that. I would like to see rugby league have a bigger presence up here and then we can get an even greater pool of talent.

“There are already a lot of really good Scottish kids coming through and I can see a team from up here starting in the national leagues before very long.” Prior to the European campaign Scotland were ranked 11th in the World and 5th in Europe.

And funding for the national team is only a fraction of what rival nations receive.

But with a hard-working bunch of volunteers the Bravehearts are continuing to punch well above their weight.

Team manager Mark 'Chopper’ Richardson said: “Everyone involved with Scotland gives their time freely.

“After every campaign all of us will be out of pocket - we do it because we love the sport and we love Scotland.

“I was a policeman for 30 years before I retired yet these boys take team spirit to a whole new level for me. They are a fantastic bunch and are truly inspirational.” Despite being the lowest ranked in this year’s European Cup the 11th seeds came out on top over France, who are fourth, sixth-placed Wales, and also the 10th placed Irish.

The victory means they now qualify for the 2016 Four Nations against the world’s top three - hosts England, New Zealand and Australia.

And by reaching last year’s quarter-finals at Headingley, the Bravehearts also have automatic qualification for the 2017 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.