There will be no repeat of the heartbreak of Euro96 for Scotland's second most capped player in the country's history, Jim Leighton.
Two years ago, the Aberdeen keeper was devastated at being left out of the Scotland side for the group games in England. Indeed, he felt so badly that he contemplated retiring from international football after having been left as second choice behind Andy Goram, the man who quit the Scotland squad this week.
At the team's hotel yesterday, Leighton explained: ''I have never felt as badly as I did when I was left out. It's something you would not wish on your worst enemy.
''So far, over here, Craig had not talked to myself and Andy about the goalkeeping situation. I think we would have found out at the end of the week when we play the USA in Washington. Now that is no longer the case, of course.
''I did not speak to Andy before he left, but obviously it would not have been easy for him to make this decision.
''We did not know anything was wrong and I would be lying if I said anything different to that.
''Now I have to get on with things and I won't take it for granted that I am going to be in against Brazil.''
Leighton will, of course, be in goal for that game, and he will be appearing for the fourth time at the World Cup finals.
His burgeoning international career began in Spain in l982, continued in Mexico in l986, and then, again, he was with Scotland in Italy in l990.
He recalls: ''I was in Spain as a reserve and I did not play there. However, I did play at the others and now I hope I am playing in this one. The fact that Andy is not here won't make any difference as to how I prepare for France.
''I think Andy would have been the same as me - you train with the belief that you are going to be in the team. This won't lessen the edge I feel as we get closer to the game.
''Andy and I have been together in the Scotland set up for something like 14 years, and there is a sense of loss that he has now gone. However, while I see this as my swan song in regards to the World Cup, I am not ready to walk away yet.
''I set myself targets but I don't make them public. I do have them and they keep driving you on, just as competition from younger goal-keepers does.''
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