PAUL LAMBERT, a key Scotland midfielder at the 1998 World Cup in France, believes that Scotland could be on the cusp of ending their 18-year exile from a major international tournament.

With four games still to be played to complete the qualifying stage, Gordon Strachan’s side are in third place, just three points off the pace set by leaders Poland and two shy of World Champions Germany.

Next up is Georgia away before Scotland host Germany at Hampden three days later, a double header that could be definitive in whether Strachan’s side are handed an invite to Euro 2016.

However, Lambert has warned against writing off Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland side, who currently sit just two points behind Scotland. Lambert still maintains an immense level of respect for his former Celtic manager whom he admits he still refers to as "gaffer".

“He came up to Aston Villa’s training ground and that was the last time I spoke to him,” said Lambert. “He was good – exactly the same. The minute he walks in you still call him 'gaffer'. But I know what he is like – he will not give up until it is impossible. He will keep going.

“I said before the Ireland game that if Scotland could walk away from Dublin with a point it would be a good result.

“Ireland are still in it. I think there will be a lot of to-ing and fro-ing but Scotland are in a good position. It will go close but they are in a strong position.

"The good think about Scotland at the minute is that the whole country is with them. The crowd is with them, that eagerness of not being too far away from going to a major international tournament is there big thing, especially at home.

"They are in it. This is the best chance they have had for a long, long time.”

And it is the camaraderie that appears to exist within the Scotland camp which Lambert believes can be the catalyst for successfully negotiating the final chapter of the qualifying stages.

“The team have now got that togetherness and that team spirit that can get you results which will get them points here and points there,” he said. “I always think Shaun Maloney can give you something a bit different but I also think that Gordon has got a good team spirit there and it has transferred onto the terraces.

“Everyone thought the Germans would just go and win it and it would be Poland, Ireland and Scotland fighting it out, but the way it is working at the minute Poland are the ones who are taking it on.

"You still think the Germans will be one of the two but even if you get to the play-off you would take it.”