Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack dares to dream as Scotland prepare for their date with destiny

After a two decade wait, Scotland now have a double chance to end their absence from major tournaments. The dreams could soon be realised.

The first opportunity arrives in just a couple of weeks when Clarke’s side face Serbia. Scotland have come within 90 minutes of a finals before, but this assignment, while undoubtedly difficult, is their most realistic chance for quite some time as a place at the European Championships awaits.

That would be a magnificent achievement for Clarke and his players, but it wouldn’t be the ultimate one. Competing at the Euros next summer would be great, but being at the World Cup in Qatar the following year would be even better.

If that ambition is to be realised, the visit of the Czech Republic this evening cannot be underestimated. Victory at Hampden would put Scotland another small step closer to the finals and Jack is fully aware of the opportunity that has presented itself for the national side.

“As players we think about it," Jack said. "Of course we do. It’s why we come away.

“At club level everyone is at different places and has their own standards and stuff, but when you come away, it’s roll your sleeves up and give your all for Scotland.

“It’s a chance for us. We’ve got a Final. We are one game away from a major tournament.

“Hopefully next month that sinks in, we go and grab it and make ourselves proud.

“This Nations League is also a great way for us to keep ourselves involved and, maybe if we don’t qualify automatically, if we can perform in these groups, it’s a chance for a route in.

“As you have seen before, it can help and, hopefully, it could give us a second chance to be successful.

“It would be a great achievement for us all. The manager has had the same core since he’s been in and we have that chance to go and do it.

“To be honest, it’s about taking that chance. There’s nothing to fear. Let’s meet it head on and give our best shot. Hopefully, that’s enough.

“The thing about being heroes and that side of it, you don’t get too caught up in that. Of course, if we qualified and we did it, it’d be some achievement.”

There will be supporters across the country for whom the Nations League fixture this evening means little, whose interest in the fortunes of Scotland has waned through the years of failure and negativity.

If Clarke can achieve one thing during his reign, it has to be to reignite the passion for the national side. There would be no better way to do just that than by taking Scotland to a major tournament for the first time since France ’98.

There have been times when the commitment of those that pull on the jersey has been questioned but that accusation can never be levelled at Jack. Nor can it be said of Andrew Considine, whose reaction to his debut against Slovakia on Sunday spoke volumes.

"It has got to mean that," Jack said. "I always said that if it didn’t mean that much then there was no point in you turning up.

"It has got to mean the world to you to come away and put that shirt on and try and perform. Look, there are going to be times when you are going to have a bad performance or it is not going to go well and you get beat.

"But I have always said that every time you get the chance to put on that shirt you have to grab it and give it your all.

"Andy comes in on Sunday for the game. He met up the day before, got told he was playing and goes in, grabs it with both hands and was excellent. It is credit to Andy and he thoroughly deserves it because he has had a great career."

The Scotland squad will disperse and go their separate ways after the Czech game and time will tell if they meet up as planned ahead of their shoot-out with Serbia next month.

The future of international football has come up for debate in recent days as positive tests of Coronavirus rack up. For those in the Scotland bubble, it is all about doing their job when asked and when allowed.

Jack said: "Look, our careers are short enough and you don’t want to be missing a year of international football, or six months, or whatever it may be.

“We always want to be here every time there is a chance or there is a squad announced, you want to play and be a part of it.

“Personally, I think it is great that we are still playing the games. With fans there, there is no doubt that Thursday night would have been a special night.

“Look, it is what it is and as players, and myself, I just get on with it. There is a lot of stuff that goes on outside of football and I just try to do my job, stay focused on play the games. That is all I take notice of."