It was supposed to be World Cup D-Day where our dreams of Qatar would finally come true.
The reality is it's another afternoon on the couch for the Tartan Army watching two other nations fight it out for the privilege with only the prospect of a Nations League clash against Armenia at Hampden to lift the gloom.
Hardly the same. But needs must and if Steve Clarke is to make good on his vow to reach Euro 2024 after our World Cup dream came up short then the work starts now.