Scotland boss Steve Clarke insists it is time his side got a big win over a good team.
Scotland have struggled against some of the biggest teams in football for a number of years with famous wins over France becoming a distant memory.
In recent years it has become a bit of a struggle and Clarke is desperate to change that starting with Russia.
The Russians reached the last eight of the World Cup in 2018 in their home tournament and the former Kilmarnock gaffer reckons it would be a scalp.
Clarke made his Killie side renowned for being brilliant against the top teams in the Premiership and is hoping for more of the same.
He said: "We need a big win as a country. It's been a long time since we turned over one of the so-called big boys. I think Russia having been in the last eight of the World Cup are one of the bigger teams.
"It's about time that we as a nation, rather than being on the receiving end, are the team that's maybe dishing out a result that's deemed to be an upset.
"Hopefully tomorrow night can be the case. I think over a number of years we haven't reached a major finals. The more often that happens, the less people start to believe in it.
"So one big result, maybe, can change the whole mindset of not just the squad but the whole nation.
"If you're pessimistic (then Friday is the best chance). If you're optimistic you think you can win any game. All through my career I've approached ever game, whichever team I'm in charge of or played for, I always think we've got a chance to win matches.
"I think if you've got that mindset then more often than not you can win games that people don't expect you to win."
