Rangers legend Ally McCoist insists it's impossible for the pain of missing out on a major international tournament to go away.
And that's why he feels for Ibrox star Ryan Jack, who will be watching Euro 2020 from home this summer after missing out through injury.
McCoist wasn't included in Craig Brown's squad for the 1998 World Cup after playing his final game for the Govan club.
And 23 years on the pain is still raw as ever as Rangers' record goalscorer insists when Jack first joined from Aberdeen he had no idea the impact the midfielder would eventually have.
He told the Herald: "You don't recover - it's that simple. I can still feel the pain.
"You've just got to handle it. You do that a bit better with time but you never, ever forget the pain of something like that.
"It sets you up and makes what you are. I can only speak for myself but I don't think I've ever got over it and I don't think I ever will. But I just handle it better.
"I'm absolutely gutted for Ryan, really. He was doing ever so well in that Rangers side.
"I'll put my cards on the table right now - when Ryan Jack signed, I thought he was a good player. But I'll tell you the truth - I can't believe the impact he's made, I genuinely can't."
Nathan Patterson, however, was included in Steve Clarke's 26-man selection.
It's been an extraordinary season for the right-back for all kinds of reasons as he went from Covid rule-breaking zero to Europa League hero in a matter of weeks when he filled in for James Tavernier and scored a massive goal against Royal Antwerp.
The 19-year-old has beaten out Liam Palmer for a slot in the squad and McCoist insists it's richly deserved.
He added: "I really, really do think he deserves it. I don't see any reason why not.
"I've got to be honest though. Through nobody's fault but his own, he didn't get the opportunity to continue the run that he was on.
"He was maybe a bit lucky to get back in with the injury to James Tavernier but I'll tell you what - credit where it's due. Boy, did he grab it. He's really, really looked the part and I would have him in the squad.
"There are also guys like (David) Turnbull, who's another one that's impressed me. Those two guys are names that have been on the periphery and I think Steve will have an opportunity to say, 'Okay, come on'. The way I look at it, had these two guys not made the squad, you'd have thought they were pretty unlucky.
"Stephen O'Donnell has done well at right-back but we don't really have anyone else. Patterson would certainly compete for a place. I'm not saying just take these guys for a ride and give them a wee bit of experience: I think they could be there on merit. And once you get there, you have to grasp the opportunity when you get it."
