The countdown to Euro 2020 is well and truly on with just 37 days until Scotland’s 23-year wait to once again take part at a major international tournament is finally over.
Steve Clarke’s men kick off their Group D campaign with a clash against Czech Republic at Hampden followed by that mouthwatering Auld Enemy showdown at Wembley on June 18.
But before that all eyes will be on the tournament opener on June 11 when host nation Italy take on Turkey in Rome's Olympic Stadium.
The competition had an unusual look from the start after it was announced it would be held across 12 host cities - since reduced to 11 with Dublin withdrawing - to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the European Championships.
Now, though, it will be a major international tournament like no other before with the impact of the coronavirus making it a strange occasion, like so many other sporting events in the last year.
It’s a blow for the Tartan Army that so many thousands will miss out after waiting so long to watch Scotland in action - particularly as Glasgow is one of the venues.
But the green light has at least been given for 12,000 fans to attend Hampden for the games against the Czechs and Croatia.
Scotland have never progressed beyond the group stage so Clarke’s heroes have the chance to create yet more history.
In fact, why not set our sights even higher? We Have A Dream, as the Scotland 1982 World Cup song went.
Here at Record Sport Online that dream is to go all the way to Wembley so we’ve plotted a route to the final in London.
The top two in each of the six groups will proceed to the round of 16 along with the four best third-placed finishers.
Group action
Group D
June 14 - Scotland v Czech Republic, Hampden Park, kick off 2pm
June 18 - England v Scotland, Wembley Stadium, kick off 8pm
June 22 - Scotland v Croatia, Hampden Park, kick off 8pm
Record Sport predictions: Scotland 2 Czech Republic 1; England 1 Scotland 0; Scotland 1 Croatia 1
Knockout fixtures
It will be a tall order for Scotland to win the group but, strangely, finishing second could actually mean an easier last-16 tie - certainly on paper. If Clarke’s boys top the group they would face the runners-up from Group F - likely to be one of giants Germany, France or Portugal - while finishing second would mean taking on Sweden, Poland or Slovakia, assuming Spain win Group D. That match would also take place in Copenhagen with 11,000 fans allowed inside the Parken Stadium as opposed to Wembley so it would be a match outside of Britain. A third place finish would likely mean a showdown against Spain, Holland or Belgium if those groups go to plan which would be a daunting prospect, albeit at least one of those scenarios could mean a match in Glasgow with the alternative venues for a third place finish in Copenhagen or Seville.
Round of 16
Route A
If Scotland win Group D - June 29 v Group F runners-up (Portugal, France, Germany, Hungary), Wembley
Route B
If Scotland finish second in Group D - June 29 v Group E runners-up (Spain, Sweden, Poland, Slovakia), Copenhagen
Route C
If Scotland finish as one of the four best third-placed teams then it could be one of three potential scenarios
*June 27 v Group C winners (Holland, Ukraine, Austria, North Macedonia), Copenhagen
*June 27 v Group B winners (Denmark, Finland, Belgium], Russia), Seville
*June 29 v Group E winners (Spain, Sweden, Poland, Slovakia), Glasgow
Quarter finals
Route A
June 29 - Scotland v Group E winners (Spain, Sweden, Poland, Slovakia) or 3rd place in Group A/B/C/D, Wembley
Route B
July 2 - Scotland v Group F winners (Portugal, France, Germany, Hungary) or 3rd place in Group A/B/C, St Petersburg
Route C
July 2 - Scotland v Group A winners or Group C runners-up, Munich
July 3 - Scotland v Group A runners-up or Group B runners-up, Baku
July 3 -Scotland v Group D winners or Group F runners-up, Rome
Semi-finals
July 6/7 - Wembley
Final
July 11 - Wembley
