IT is the best of times, it is the worst of times.

Scotland’s tale as they prepare to take on Lithuania in their second Russia 2018 qualifier at Hampden this evening is one of wonder and of woe.

Gordon Strachan faces a considerable dilemma when it comes to selecting his left back for the Group F fixture with Kieran Tierney pushing Andy Robertson hard for a start and Lee Wallace also in contention.

Indeed, Strachan believes the national team has never been so well off for players in that specialised position in all the time he has been involved either as a player or a coach with the Hull City, Celtic and Rangers players at his disposal.

“My left backs are very attacking and the three of them have been outstanding,” he said. “In all my years in Scottish football, I’ve never seen three left backs like them.”

Robertson acquitted himself confidently in the 5-1 victory over Malta in Ta’Qali last month and has been pitted against many of the best players in the world in the Barclays Premier League on a weekly basis at club level.

However, Tierney has, if anything, done even better at Parkhead in the 2016/17 campaign under new manager Brendan Rodgers than he did last term when he broke through under Ronny Deila.

His performance in the thrilling Champions League group game against Manchester City last month, when he helped the Scottish champions record a 3-3 draw with their English opponents, may just have edged him ahead of his compatriot in the pecking order.

“I’ve got to say that was as good a game as I have seen for years,” said Strachan. “It was one of these games where you thought ‘keep it coming’. It was so good. At half-time there was haggis, neeps and tatties, you couldn’t have got any better. It was a fantastic game of foot-ball.

“Kieran in particular was terrific that night. The more players we can get into Europe and play games like that, the more it is a benefit. Kieran has come on the last six months, he is even better than the first time he put a strip on.”

Up front, too, Strachan has several different permutations he can opt for with Steven Fletch-er, Leigh Griffiths and Chris Martin all, playing regularly for Sheffield Wednesday, Celtic and Fulham respectively, vying for the lone striker’s berth.

Just behind them, Ikechi Anya, Oliver Burke, James Forrest, Shaun Maloney, Steven Nai-smith, Matt Ritchie and Robert Snodgrass have all shown in the past they can perform with distinction for their country. Good luck picking three from that lot Gordon.

“You have wide men who can run in behind, wide men who can take people on, players who can look after the ball,” said Strachan. “The strikers are different personalities. You pick the best personality and technique for the group you have around you.

“I have to pick a team that is rounded, where we can have a variation of attacks and defend as a group. It’s all about winning and scoring a lot of goals from a lot of positions. I don’t want us to be a one dimensional team which only attacks one way.”

In goals, too, David Marshall, who is playing with Maloney, Robertson and Snodgrass at Hull after a move to the KC Stadium this summer, should start, but Craig Gordon, who has won back his place in the Celtic side and justified his recall against City, is a none too shabby deputy.

Asked if it was the strongest squad he has had during his three years in charge, Strachan added: “In certain areas, yes. There has always been that strength, but maybe there’s more this week than the previous four internationals. If you had a team of left backs for the World Cup, or goalies or wide guys we’d be doing terrifically well.”

Alas, the options at the back are not quite so abundant. Grant Hanley and Russell Martin are, as their manager is always at pains to point out, the best players available to Strachan at centre half at this precise moment in time. But the Norwich City and Newcastle United men are limited at international level.

Calum Paterson has shown he is not out of his depth with his appearances for his country and is probably more reliable than Alan Hutton, whose strength has always been in overlapping and complementing attacks, at right back. But the jury remains out on the Hearts player.

Strachan expects, having seen footage of Lithuania drawing 2-2 with Slovenia in their first qualifier at home last month, the visitors to attack and his rearguard will be tested throughout the course of the 90 minutes this evening.

They should have enough to overcome their adversaries and retain their place at the head of Group F. But there is always a fear going into international matches these days that shortcomings at the back will be exposed and deficiencies in that vital department will prove costly.

Scotland are certainly upbeat after their opening win against the bottom seeds in the section. But Tartan Army footsoldiers endured a fair few anxious moments in that match against Malta. They allowed the minnows to equalise after taking the lead when they conceded a soft goal and were fortunate not to fall behind.

Netting more goals than Lithuania, defending in the other team’s half as Bill Shankly used to preach to his Liverpool team, is an obvious approach for Scotland to take given the central defence they will field. But that is a risky strategy.

“It was nice to get on that plane with three points,” said Strachan. “You can feel it in the country when you walk about. People are saying ‘Well done, we enjoyed that.’ If the boys have picked that up as well then that helps.

“We have to try to keep that momentum through this section. We have to try. We are working hard and leaving nothing to chance these guys.”