Scotland could be suffering the biggest St Andrew’s Day hangover in history – after defeating the Auld Enemy the night before in the World Cup.
The prospect of lining up against Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions on November 29 in Qatar is still something of a piper’s dream as we need to beat Ukraine and Wales beforehand.
But former Scotland boss Craig Brown summed up the mood of the nation, when he declared: ”We can beat them.”
Brown was the country’s last manager to take a side to a World Cup – 24 years ago when we played the opening game of the tournament against Brazil at France ’98.
Brown said: ”I knew we would get them. And I know we can beat them.
“This is an excellent chance to get out of the group for the first time in our history. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Scottish boys and I believe they can take it.
“Tickets for this match will be like gold dust. You wouldn’t be able to get your hands on a brief for this for love nor money. I can’t wait.”
Before that can happen, Scotland need to progress in a play-off semi-final against Ukraine, a tie postponed from last month due to the invasion of Russia.
Should they win that game, planned for June 7, Steve Clarke's lads then need to defeat Gareth Bale’s Wales in an all-British play-off in Cardiff.
The draw last night also paired the winners of that match in Group B with the USA and Iran, which will send shivers down the spine of any Tartan Army footsoldier old enough to remember Argentina ’78.
Scotland drew 1-1 with the no-hopers, which helped cement an early return home following defeat by Peru and a stirring victory over the Netherlands and that wonder goal by Archie Gemmell.
The lateness of the qualification process means that Scotland fans will be at the end of the queue in efforts to secure accommodation in the desert kingdom.
It’s estimated 1.5 million supporters from all over the world will flock to the Middle East for November’s jamboree.
However, there are only 175,000 hotel rooms available and many of these will already have been snapped up by followers of known qualifying countries.
The Tartan Army’s love of a pre-match drink could also be curtailed, due to strict no-alcohol laws in the Muslim country. Some will choose to fly in for games from Dubai, where licensing laws are less severe.
Hamish Husband, spokesman for the West of Scotland Tartan Army said: ”England is undoubtedly the plum tie. It’s time we beat them.
“America always do very well because they are so athletic. Iran will being back nightmare memories but everyone will be concentrating on the England tie.”
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