THERE has been precious little, if any, evidence in Scotland’s most recent encounters with England to suggest they can take something, anything at all, from their latest meeting with their ancient adversaries at Hampden this evening.

In the last 20 years - during which time the near neighbours have, despite the game no longer being an annual fixture on the international calendar, met on 10 occasions - this country has triumphed just once. Even that victory, though, was a defeat of sorts.

The 1-0 win which Craig Brown’s team recorded over Kevin Keegan’s side at Wembley in the second leg of the Euro 2000 play-off in 1999 courtesy of a Don Hutchison header was celebrated joyously.

But having been beaten 2-0 in the first leg four days earlier they still slumped to a 2-1 aggregate loss and failed to book a place in the finals in Belgium and the Netherlands. Another glorious failure. Nobody does them better.

This country’s distinct lack of success against their oldest and most hated rivals in the modern era is indicative of the widening gulf in standards between the club game north and south of the border.

There was a time not so very long ago when every top English side, be it Arsenal, Leeds United, Liverpool, Manchester United or Spurs, had a healthy smattering of Scots in it. No more.

If Strachan goes for the same starting line-up in the Group F match today as he did in the 1-0 win over Slovenia back in March, as many people expect him to, he will call on the services of just three Barclays Premier League players.

Andy Robertson (Hull City), James Morrison (West Brom) and Robert Snodgrass (West Ham) are hardly, no disrespect to any of them, household names either. Certainly, they do not have anywhere near the same profile or reputation as the likes of, say, Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Dele Alli (Spurs) or Raheem Sterling (Manchester City).

Nor do they have the quality. Strachan has a set of dedicated professionals at his disposal. Nobody will be able to question their commitment or fitness after Italian referee Paolo Tagliavento blows the whistle for the start of the game later.

But the Scotland manager has consistently bemoaned the lack of a world-class talent, of a Gareth Bale, an Eden Hazard, a Robert Lewandowski, in the four years which he has spent in charge of his country. His charges are certainly, at international level at least, limited.

His opposite number Gareth Southgate has no such worries. There is much excitement down south about the group of players who are emerging. With good reason. Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford and John Stones are all young and performing well at a very high level both domestically and in Europe.

England’s failure to make any sort of impact at the finals of major competitions has become a source of much mirth here. But there is genuine optimism among their followers that the future may be different.

Their record in qualifying games is simply staggering too. Their last defeat came 34 games ago against Ukraine away after their goalkeeper Rob Green had been sent off early on.

They are currently on top of their section having won four and drawn just one of their five matches so far. The two dropped points they dropped against Slovenia away in Ljubljana back in October resulted in a savage inquest by an outraged press and public. Oh, to have such problems.

Strachan’s side, sitting in fourth spot following defeats to Slovakia and England away and a draw to Lithuania at home, must win this game to stand any chance of progressing, either automatically or via the play-offs, to the World Cup finals next year.

The manager’s position, too, is on the line after a desperately disappointing campaign. Defeat will, surely this time, bring to an end his lengthy tenure. Even a draw may not be enough to spare him.

Why, then, will so many Scots make their way to Hampden this afternoon, head off to their local pub or settle down in their armchairs with high hopes of witnessing a famous triumph? Blind optimism bordering on delusion? No, there are, despite the superiority, on paper, of the opposition, genuine reasons to be hopeful.

The win over Slovenia back in March was only secured with a late Chris Martin goal. But the performance was hugely encouraging. The difference which Stuart Armstrong, who was playing his first game for Scotland, made was startling.

Having so many Celtic players involved – and six of them, Armstrong, Scott Brown, James Forrest, Craig Gordon, Leigh Griffiths and Kieran Tierney, could once again start – will once again be hugely beneficial to Scotland.

That sextet have just enjoyed one of the most memorable seasons of their lives. They helped the Parkhead club qualify for the Champions League group stages, where they drew with Manchester City home and away, and go undefeated in 47 domestic fixtures as they won the treble. Their confidence is currently sky high.

The build-up to this game has seen some derogatory remarks made about the standard of Scottish football and the quality of player in it. Paul Scholes, now a media pundit, has claimed that Brown would be unable to get a game for a Premier League club down south.

It is a quite frankly ridiculous suggestion given that Darren Fletcher, who has just moved from West Brom to Stoke City, and James McArthur, of Crystal Palace, are unable to get a game ahead of the Celtic central midfielder and captain.

But the 31-year-old and his club mates will be intent on showing that they are every bit as good as their feted opponents and this is not the footballing backwater which so many believe it to be.

Scotland performed well for long periods of their match against England at Wembley in November, failed to take their chances in front of goal and ended up losing 3-0. But they should pose more of a threat in attack this time around.

Griffiths, still searching for his first international goal after making 12 appearances for the national team, hadn’t been starting or scoring regularly for Celtic prior to that match. But he has scored four times in the six games he has played leading up to this

Defensively, too, Strachan’s men are in better shape. Christophe Berra and Grant Hanley started at Wembley and struggled to cope with the occasion. Charlie Mulgrew and Russell Martin, who will be preferred at centre half, is a far stronger partnership.

Kieran Tierney also missed out in London due to injury. But the Celtic youngster, who will line up out of position at right back in order to accommodate Robertson on the left, is available for this one.

His progress is being closely monitored by clubs down south and last month Brendan Rodgers revealed that he turned down a multi-million pound bid from one of them after taking over at Celtic. He should once again show why here.

England have bigger and better players individually. But that has always been the case and hasn’t always helped them emerge triumphant. Scotland are, with their desire and work ethic, a match for anyone on their day. It won't be easy, but they have a definite chance of making history.