The greatest thing of all going into tonight’s game is that our destiny is in our own hands.
We have given ourselves a massive opportunity and now it’s up to the Scotland players to deliver against Slovakia and then in Slovenia on Sunday.
Three wins and one draw – and, let’s face it, we were unlucky not to beat England at Hampden – in our last four matches have at least ensured that it’s still possible to get to the World Cup finals.
Every one of those games was played under immense pressure but the lads came through it and can now dictate their own future.
That is the good news.
The bad news, of course, is that injured pair Scott Brown and Stuart Armstrong will be badly missed.
Brown is the captain and, as such, I believe he is seen as the embodiment of the whole group.
He is a leader and someone the others would have looked to for advice and encouragement out on the park this evening.
He does most of the dirty, labouring work for Scotland, if you like, by breaking up the opposition moves before finding teammates with his passes.
Armstrong is more of a playmaker and we have all seen just what a potent goal threat he can pose whether in a Celtic jersey or representing his country.
I am pretty certain that Broony will still have a part to play in the dressing room before the game, talking to the players and encouraging them.
Manager Gordon Strachan will use the Celtic skipper’s personality and character to help motivate the other lads.
As for who will come in for them, I wouldn’t even try to second guess Strachan.
That is a waste of time because he is always capable of a wee surprise.
I’m sure whoever gets the nod, though, won’t let anyone down and I still feel confident despite losing Brown and Armstrong.
Meanwhile, it was exciting to see Kerr Waddell score a dramatic double for Dundee against Hearts on Saturday.
I like the look of him and see similarities between him and a young Lee Wilkie.
Understandably, he is getting plenty of attention and praise and there has even been talk of a possible Scotland under-21 call-up.
As far as I’m concerned, it’s still a bit early for that.
I would just be happy to see him continue to learn his trade in a dark blue jersey at Dens.
