James Morrison can’t make up his mind whether this is the right or wrong time to be facing Germany.
The 28-year-old West Brom midfielder is aware of the task awaiting Scotland, but at the same time he is encouraged by the progress made under national coach Gordon Strachan since he took over from Craig Levein in January last year.
The 2-2 friendly draw with Nigeria in London in May stretched their unbeaten run to six matches and Morrison believes a new epoch of belief means the time could be right for qualification to the finals of a major tournament for the first time since 1998.
He said: “It is the worst start that we could probably have had but, on the other hand, it is probably the best time to play them.
“They are coming off a victory that they probably celebrated for two weeks solid, as I think I would.
“I am very excited. It is our best opportunity (to qualify) for as long as I have been involved, certainly.
“We have a good, strong group at the moment and in the past we have done well against big teams.
“With the year that we have had, it is our best opportunity of qualifying, no questions about that, and I think that we are all excited for the challenge ahead.
“Since I was a kid I wanted to play in a major tournament. Speaking for the whole squad, that is the aim, that is what the fans and everyone involved with the team aims to do and we are pulling towards that this season.”