It's World Cup qualifying crunch time for both Scotland and Austria - who know defeat could mean Goodnight Vienna for their hopes of reaching Qatar 2022.
The Scots are a point better off than their hosts at the midway point of the campaign - and victory for Steve Clarke ’s side would all but end the challenge of Franco Foda’s second seeds.
But there was a triple blow on the eve of the match as Nathan Patterson, Ryan Fraser and Kenny McLean pulled out of the squad heading to Vienna with Hibs’ Paul McGinn called up.
A 1-0 win over Moldova on Saturday flattered to deceive and the big question remains .. do Scotland have the system and the match-winners to grab a much-needed victory when it’s most needed?
John McTaggart, Stirling, said: “The fact that Israel put five past Austria over the weekend shows their defence isn't exactly unbreakable. They're also missing key midfielder Marcel Sabitzer.
"Austria boss Franco Foda is clinging onto his job, and we absolutely should be targeting a win that would prove to be the final straw for his employers.
"Clarke has to send us out with the high pressing, in your face game plan that worked so well recently against Serbia and England, and not the sit back and hope for the best nonsense that was embarrassing to watch in Denmark.
"If we don't lay a glove on them after they just shipped five against Israel, serious questions need to be asked about Clarke and his beloved five at the back system."
Paul McCormack, Coatbridge, said: “A week into his job extension Stevie Clarke is getting pelters.
"He was the unanimous choice, got the team to the Euros now he's a dud. His style of football is never going to be exciting, he's over-cautious for me, but he was same at Kilmarnock and results there got him the job. This leopard’s not going to change his spots, so fans can forget bums off seat type football, it's not his way.”
Andy Kirkpatrick, Cambuslang, said: “Nathan Patterson withdrawing is a blow after his full debut on Saturday. But when it comes to replacements I can’t understand why Livingston skipper Nicky Devlin keeps getting overlooked.
"He has energy to burn up and down the right flank and is solid defensively too. Surely a better option that Paul McGinn.”
Over 40,000 turned out to watch the win over Moldova. But Kevin Lord, Drylaw, reckons it could have been more.
He said: “10,000 empty seats at Hampden was easy to explain. It wasn’t ticket prices, they were excellent. Or that fans don't want to watch the team. It's a stupid 7.45pm Saturday night kick off time.”
On to domestic matters and with the Premiership enjoying some down time, the Hotline focus remains stuck on the transfer window - a full week on from deadline day.
Alfie Mullin, London, said: “Can somebody fix the Celtic fans' broken record?
"We have the usual suspects continuing to bang on about Rangers' accounts and how no one seemed to want our players. I'm happy we kept our players, they will show again this season that Celtic are still a broken team, despite their rebuild.
"The £40m for automatic qualification to the Champions League group stage, will be in Rangers' coffers.”
Scott Gowers, Edinburgh, said: “Both James McLean and Gordon Ashley may think Celtic have a lot more in the bank than they do.
"It's all well doing the sums of incomings and outgoings in a transfer window however they didn't factor in a 40 per cent sell on clause in Edouard's contract which is considerably less than the £15m they have accounted for, players wages are dependant on European qualification and prize monies at the end of the season.
"It seems to me Celtic have been forced into selling their best players after missing out on Champions League football."
Andy Adams, Kirkcaldy, said: “I see our Hotline accountant Mr Ashley says Rangers will be £60 million behind his team at the end of the season, well I'll settle for that as long as they're one point in front of them in the league.”
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