TONIGHT is the night.
It will be Steve Clarke's first taste of a full-house at Hampden, with the national stadium sold out for Scotland vs Israel.
Defeating Austria away last time out has put the Scots in the driving seat for second place in our World Cup qualifying group.
Denmark may be way out in front in first spot, but tonight is absolutley crucial to determining whether we can make it two major finals our of two under Clarke.
Here's how our writers believe we will line-up, as well as their final score predictions...
Matthew Lindsay
SCOTT MCTOMINAY has done pretty well in the games that he has played at centre half for Scotland. But I would pick the more experienced Liam Cooper to replace Grant Hanley and field Kieran Tierney and Jack Hendry on either side of him. I would also stick with Callum McGregor and Billy Gilmour in central midfield. Nathan Patterson should start ahead of Stephen O’Donnell at right wing back.
Scotland 2 Israel 1
Chris Jack
Gordon, Patterson, Cooper, Hendry, Tierney, Robertson, Gilmour, McTominay, McGinn, Dykes, Adams
WHEN you take into account form, injuries and suspensions, the side largely picks itself for this one. The biggest call could be up front and the Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes partnership looks like the one that could be most beneficial for Scotland. It is still in its infancy, but it needs time to flourish and it is worth another outing at Hampden.
Scotland 1-0 Israel
Graeme McGarry
Gordon; Tierney, Cooper, Hendry, Robertson, McGregor, Gilmour, McGinn, O’Donnell, Dykes, Adams.
THE logic goes that you should have your best individual players in the Scotland team. It is why so many have wrestled with getting both Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney into the side over the last five years or so.
I think Steve Clarke will be reluctant though to further disrupt the back three who performed so well in Austria with Grant Hanley suspended, so Liam Cooper comes in at the heart of the defence with Tierney and Jack Hendry either side.
That means Scott McTominay has to settle for a place on the bench, as does Nathan Patterson, with Stephen O’Donnell’s experience trusted more by Clarke in the biggest games.
Scotland 1 Israel 0
Aidan Smith
Gordon, Patterson, Hendry, Cooper, Tierney, Robertson, McGregor, Gilmour, McGinn, Adams, Dykes.
STEVE CLARKE faces a number of selection headaches ahead of this huge game at Hampden, but I don’t think we will make too many tweaks. He will be forced to replace the suspended Grant Hanley and I reckon he will opt for Liam Cooper as his replacement. At right-back I hope he opts for Nathan Patterson to provide an attacking threat on the right flank.
Scotland 1 Israel 0
David Irvine
Gordon, O’Donnell, Hendry, Cooper, Tierney, Robertson, McTominay, Gilmour, McGinn, Dykes, Adams.
SUSPENDED Grant Hanley is a major loss. Replacing him is key and Liam Cooper is the man to do it. Scott McTominay has been rock-solid in defence but, for me, should play in midfield tomorrow. Nathan Patterson will be disappointed if not involved, but Stephen O'Donnell has been favoured in tight matches.
Scotland 2 Israel 1
James Cairney
Line-up: Gordon, Tierney, Hendry, McTominay, Robertson, Patterson, McGregor, Gilmour, McGinn; Adams, Dykes.
I think Steve Clarke’s starting XI largely picks itself at this point. Craig Gordon has earned the No.1 jersey, while I expect Scott McTominay to start in defence once again. I think Nathan Patterson has done enough to merit a starting place ahead of Stephen O’Donnell, and I reckon Lyndon Dykes’ disruptive influence in the final third could be a crucial weapon in our arsenal.
Scotland 1 Israel 0
Ewan Paton
Gordon, McTominay, Hendry, Tierney, Patterson, Gilmour, McGregor, Robertson, McGinn, Adams, Dykes
GRANT HANLEY is undoubtedly a huge miss for the national side. While Scott McTominay's recent form for Manchester United has been patchy at best, he remains one of Scotland's best players and should be included. I reckon he will slot into the defence with Jack Hendry and Kieran Tierney. Billy Gilmour, Callum McGregor and Che Adams must all start. Nathan Patterson should also get the nod at right-wing-back.
Scotland 2 Israel 0
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