Gordon Strachan has a very interesting seven days ahead of him - days which will help define more accurately his substance as a Scotland manager.

So far this perjink little 57 year old has generated some Tartan Army optimism while being our national team manager. The only concern in saying this is, we've been here before.

There were moments early in Craig Levein's tenure when many of us - pundits and fans alike - believed something good was happening. But when the hard sell arrived, it all came crashing down.

Even George Burley - believe it or not - produced grounds for optimism, with gutsy Scotland displays such as against Iceland and Holland. But we all know how that reign ended.

Strachan has one lovely advantage over all previous Scotland managers of recent years. Statistically, due to the expansion of the Euro 16 finals in France, he has a 50% better chance than his predecessors of reaching a tournament finals.

This time, of the 54 teams eligible to enter this European Championship, 24 rather than 16 will actually advance to the finals in France in two years' time. From Scotland's point of view, this should be blissful.

That said, let's judge Strachan purely on performances. And that is where the next seven days will give us further evidence for judging him.

Scotland's home game against Ireland at Celtic Park on Friday should provide a fine opportunity to rack up three points in the Group D campaign.

Personally, I'm taking nothing for granted on this, but a look at the relative poverty of Martin O'Neill's Ireland playing resources should give Scotland a lot of heart.

Scotland are hardly well off for playing riches, but compared to Ireland, they look well endowed. The Tartan Army must hope this is reflected in a confident, intelligent Scotland performance on Friday evening.

Strachan, who never quite landed any plum job in English football, but forever had to graft at places like Coventry, Southampton and Middlesbrough, has seen his credentials being nicely buffed up in his 22 months so far in charge of Scotland.

And it is well merited. Against Germany in Dortmund in September Strachan's team confounded many in the 2-1 defeat with its aggressive, up-at-them approach. To the point where many believed Scotland deserved something from that match.

It was the latest in a gradual upturn in fortune under Strachan, which has swayed the Tartan Army very much in his favour. But - and this is the sole evidence - let's see how well it can be sustained over this 10-game Group D campaign.

Frankly, I largely discount the circus versus England next Tuesday as being critical to Strachan's appraisal. Too much is read into this game, especially north of the border.

Scotland certainly played well against England while losing 3-2 at Wembley last year, but their opponents rarely rose above third gear. It is a match which skews the Scottish outlook but, in real terms, scarcely bothers England at all.

Roy Hodgson has rarely had his worries to seek as England manager - which one has? - but a friendly against Scotland and some jovial glad-handing with old friends while in Glasgow will hardly keep him awake at night.

Scotland versus England will be - I hope - enjoyable to watch. But let no-one labour under the illusion of England busting a gut.

Strachan has also become embroiled in the "politics" of the Ireland match, in particular the debate surrounding Ireland's "two Scots", Aiden McGeady and James McCarthy.

I cannot actually see what the Scotland manager has said wrong here. Of course some Scotland fans are going to boo either player if he plays - the notion that they won't is absurd in football.

What Strachan said, when asked about this issue, was: "It [booing] is part of football. As long as it doesn't have that nastiness about it, then it's fine. It's pantomime stuff."

Can anyone really disagree with this? Is a Glasgow football crowd to be so sanitised that "booing" is to be outlawed? I'm sure both McGeady and McCarthy will be up to it.

This is an interesting week for Gordon Strachan and his players. A win against Ireland ought to be a given, though perhaps Scotland is too long-suffering now to fully believe such things.