Kevin Gallacher has told Scotland’s players they are set for one of the highlights of their careers if they qualify for Euro 2016.
Gallacher played for Scotland when they last reached a major tournament at the 1998 World Cup and the former Dundee United striker scored six goals on route to qualification.
Scotland host Poland on Thursday in what could prove a decisive match in the race for third place and a play-off spot in Pool D.
Defeat at Hampden Park would end Scotland’s hopes of progress, given the Republic of Ireland are four points clear with two games to play, but a draw could yet be enough.
Gordon Strachan’s side are likely to beat Gibraltar in their final match while the Republic of Ireland face Germany before a tough trip to Poland last up.
“It’s been a long while since we made it,” said Gallacher, who was speaking at the filming of the Vauxhall Home Nations Football Show.
“The 1998 World Cup was the last time and it just makes the desire stronger for Scotland to finally get to a major tournament.
“The quality we had in that group of players was high in 1998 and it shows it’s very difficult to qualify for a major tournament. It shows how well we did to make it.
“It was definitely one of the highlights of my career, to be part of that World Cup, and I’m sure it would be for these boys.
“To get six goals in the campaign for myself was fantastic to help the boys qualify.
“A lot of people were writing us off because we had a tough group with Sweden and Austria, but when we did it, it was an unbelievable feeling.”
Scotland have failed to reach any of the last four European Championships and the country’s club football has struggled too, particularly given Rangers’ four-year exile from the top flight.
Gallacher believes qualifying for next summer’s tournament would not only be a major boost for the senior Scotland side, but would inject fresh impetus in the lower levels too.
“It’ll have a massive impact,” Gallacher said.
“Scottish football doesn’t have major competitions and they don’t have the money to help grass-roots develop.
“Every international competition that goes by every two years, it’s two years of major income the SFA can’t put towards bringing through younger players and helping lower level football.”
Scotland held Poland to a 2-2 draw in October last year and would have snatched victory in Warsaw were it not for Arkadiusz Milik’s late equaliser.
They have also endured narrow defeats to Germany and the Republic of Ireland but it was a 1-0 loss against Georgia last month that was particularly damaging.
“I would say go out and play with belief,” Gallacher said.
“They’ve got a very good chance. Their performances against Germany and Poland at the start of the campaign – if they can repeat those performances, there could be an opportunity against Poland.
“They know what they have to do. When the draw came out everyone said if we could get to third place and the play-offs that would be fantastic.
“We’ve still got that challenge and we can’t give it up now. The Poland game is massive for us and to get three points would be great.
“A point is not disastrous but then you’re relying on results with Ireland and you can’t always rely on other teams like that.”