Even if Steve Clarke becomes the man to end 22 years of hurt for Scotland on Thursday night, celebrations will be put on ice.
Victory in the Euro 2020 play-off final in Serbia would see the Scots reach a major tournament for the first time since the 1998 World Cup.
But for manager Clarke, who would become a national hero, coronavirus will put a dampener on any potential revelry.
“When it’s over, I will go home and surround myself with my family again,” he said. “Although when I do go back home we are actually still in lockdown in England.
"I will maybe just have a quiet celebration with the family, but that would be after the lockdown is over.”
Ian Baraclough has called on his players to make history as Northern Ireland take on Slovakia in Belfast
Getty ImagesNorthern Ireland are also one step away from next summer’s Euros. They face Slovakia in Belfast looking to qualify for the fifth major tournament in their history.
More than 1,000 fans will be allowed into Windsor Park to cheer on Ian Baraclough's side on Thursday night.
“It’s something I always try to remind players - go and try to create history, whether that’s at club level or with the [Under] 21s or now with the seniors,” said Baraclough. “By winning certain games, you put yourself in that position.
“It’s for other people to judge but we know that to get to the Euros would be an unbelievable achievement for this group of players who started this two years ago.”
