Scotland face a massive Russia 2018 qualifier against Slovenia at Hampden on Sunday and the team isn't exactly picking itself.

Who should Gordon Strachan pick at right back? Who should he put his faith in at centre half? Who is the best man to lead the line? Nothing is certain.

Here, the Herald sports journalists who will be covering the Group F match give their thoughts on who should start in a game which our hopes of reaching the next World Cup hinge on.

NEIL CAMERON

Gordon Strachan has to pick a team of players who are used to winning as much as is possible.

And that means going with the Celtic players instead of the usual 'oh he's done sort of okay in the Championship' which hasn't exactly worked so far.

I personally would have gone with a 5-3-2 long before now, but as that's not going to happen, this is, I believe, the best we can start with in a 4-2-3-1.

Scotland team (4-2-3-1): Gordon, Anya, Berra, Mulgrew, Tierney, Brown, Cairney, Forrest, Armstrong, Snodgrass, Griffiths.

STEWART FISHER

I'm not convinced that Gordon Strachan is entirely sure what his best Scotland team is any more, so I don't know how I'm expected to know.

Leaning heavily on the Celtic connection is a no-brainer, but there aren't too many members of this squad who pick themselves these days.

The eagle-eyed amongst you will notice I have shoehorned both Tierney and Robertson into the line-up. Only a win will do so we need to find ways to get crosses into the box and numbers in there.

Scotland team (4-4-1-1): Gordon, Anya, Berra, Mulgrew, Tierney, Forrest, Brown, Armstrong, Robertson, Ritchie, Griffiths.

MATTHEW LINDSAY

I would have been tempted to play both Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney at full-back for this Russia 2018 qualifier.

But I think Ikechi Anya’s bright display at right back against Canada in midweek will see him get the nod there. I would go for Tierney on the other side.

Inside them, I suspect Gordon Strachan will give Russell Martin, who was overlooked for the England game in November due to the fact he had not been playing for Norwich, the chance to partner Charlie Mulgrew.

I would play Celtic team mates Scott Brown and Stuart Armstrong in central midfield, field James Forrest on the right, James Morrison just off the lone striker and go with the on-form Matt Ritchie on the left.

Up front, Leigh Griffiths deserves another chance to net his first international goal.

Scotland team (4-2-3-1): Gordon, Anya, R Martin, Mulgrew, Tierney, Brown, Armstrong, Forrest, Morrison, Ritchie, Griffiths.

GRAEME McGARRY

There has been a lot of debate over whether Gordon Strachan should go with two up top for Scotland or not, but for me the big issue lies at the other end.

I think that going to a back three would compensate for the shortcomings of our central defenders while also getting the most out of the talents of Kieran Tierney and Ikechi Anya in the wing-back positions.

I doubt that Gordon Strachan will agree, but I would also go with two up top in a game we have to win, with most of the Celtic contingent coming in.

Scotland team (3-5-2): Gordon, Martin, Berra, Mulgrew, Anya, Tierney, Brown, D Fletcher, Armstrong, Griffiths, Rhodes.

GRAEME MACPHERSON

Six Celtic players could well start on Sunday and it has to be hoped their winning mentality and high spirits can somehow infiltrate the national set-up too.

Anya is a weak line defensively, but has to start at right-back given the lack of alternatives, while on the other side Robertson gets the nod over Tierney on the basis of having a bit more experience at this level.

Brown and Morrison should provide a solid defensive screen, while Forrest, Armstrong and Ritchie are all in good form and should create chances for Griffiths.

Scotland team (4-2-3-1): Gordon, Anya, Martin, Mulgrew, Robertson, Brown, Morrison, Forrest, Armstrong, Ritchie, Griffiths.

SCOTT MULLEN

Wednesday night was perhaps one of the worst nights of watching football I’ve ever experienced, - and that comes from someone who got a bus to Aberdeen to watch a Maurice Malpas-inspired Motherwell team.

We already know from speaking to Mark McGhee this Scotland team are not good enough, at least in the eyes of those in charge, to play with two up front against a more than capable Slovenian team. I’d also suggest Darren Fletcher will play.

For me, Stuart Armstrong and Scott Brown have to start. As must Kieran Tierney. Beyond that on the back of Wednesday night, well, jeezo.

Knowing this won’t be what the team is, but what in my expert opinion it should be, here goes…

Scotland team (4-4-1-1): Gordon, Anya, Martin, Mulgrew, Tierney, Forrest, Armstrong, Brown, Ritchie, Snodgrass, Griffiths.