Scotland face Ukraine in the World Cup play-off semi-final on Wednesday knowing that just 180 minutes of football stands in the way of them reaching their first World Cup in 24 years.
The Scots host Ukraine in Glasgow in a single-leg semi-final, and the winner of that match will head to Cardiff to face Wales in the play-off final on Sunday, June 5. It's high stakes for all, but just when was the last time Scotland were at a World Cup? It's a question many will be asking as they head into one of their biggest fixtures in recent times...
The home nations first participated in qualifying in 1950 and since then, Scotland has played at eight FIFA World Cups - playing at five consecutive tournaments between 1974 and 1990.
Scotland's men last qualified for the 1998 World Cup in France, which came four years after the heartbreak of missing out on 1994's tournament in the USA.
Craig Brown led Scotland across the English Channel for his last major finals as manager, when Scotland played the opening match of the tournament against the champions Brazil in arguably the biggest match in Scottish football history. Scotland lost an early goal but they held on and John Collins slotted away a penalty to bring Scotland level at the break. Scotland came close but a freak own goal by Tom Boyd meant Scotland finished the match with no points.
The next game of that tournament was a tense 1-1 draw with Norway thanks to a Craig Burley equaliser, leaving Scotland needing to beat Morocco to go through and hope Norway didn’t beat Brazil. Things didn't go to plan, with Scotland conceding three goals and playing most of the second half with 10 men. Norway also beat Brazil to record one their most famous victories. So, then, that defeat to Morocco was Scotland’s last action at a men's World Cup to date.
As for play-offs, Scotland have not appeared in the qualifying play-offs since 1985, when they faced Australia for a place at the 1986 finals. The Scots won 2-0 at Hampden in the first leg thanks to goals from Davie Cooper and Frank McAvennie and drew 0-0 in Melbourne.
Until now, of course.
While there is no doubt just how much Ukraine will put into their bid to progress to the play-off final, Scotland coach Steve Clark has said his squad is also fired up.
Clark said: "Everyone is saying they will be so motivated but you’ll find our lads will be motivated to get to Qatar as well. We’ve waited a long time for this situation. It’s difficult for a country like Scotland to qualify for a World Cup. It’s difficult to put yourselves in this position, where we are two games away from going to Qatar. Myself, my staff and my players are all determined to be there."
