Thoughts of a new era could occupy the Tartan Army tonight, and not just because the Euro will be used in a pre-match toss of the coin for the first time. If Scotland lose to Belgium here Craig Brown's position as coach will be called into serious question.
Defeat would virtually end Scottish hopes of reaching the World Cup, assuming Croatia win comfortably in San Marino this evening.
With key players Paul Lambert and Dominic Matteo doubtful because of injury, Brown might have been found fretting over his future yesterday. Yet he looked relaxed at the team hotel.
"I've had it all along," he said. "When we played the first game (of this campaign) in Latvia people were saying this. When we played the opening game of the 1998 World Cup against Brazil people said we might get humiliated and that would be a disaster.
"I mean this sincerely. I'm not sitting here in fear, trembling. My future is not a consideration."
Brown certainly knows what is required. Since 1993 he has done well on meagre resources, reaching Euro 96 and France 98.
He is not expecting failure. Scotland have taken matters to the final match in every qualifying campaign under his stewardship, and the determination among the players to improve on Saturday's goalless draw with Croatia is transparent.
Another point would not signal the end but it would leave Scotland dependent on favours from others, so minds are focused on the win which would guarantee at least a play-off.
As well as choosing between Billy Dodds and Scott Booth in attack, Brown has to hope Lambert and Matteo are passed fit. Matteo, who sat out yesterday's training because of a swollen left ankle, is more doubtful and was said by Brown to have a "75-80 per cent" chance of recovering.
The 27-year-old's value was emphasised on Saturday when he filled three positions, though Brown insisted he would not jeopardise Matteo's fitness for forthcoming Leeds games by giving him injections or any excess strapping.
Lambert, the captain, was rated "90 per cent" to recover from foot blisters which caused him to play through serious pain on Saturday.
While Brown waits to finalise his line-up, Belgium's coach Robert Waseige named his yesterday, with no surprises. The dangerous Marc Wilmots of Schalke is fit to roam behind Wesley Sonck, a 23-year-old who has scored six goals in two games for Genk this season and wins his third cap.
Belgium's biggest other threat is likely to come from their wide midfielders Bart Goor and Gert Verheyen, a target last season for Ipswich. Their 4-1 friendly defeat in Finland last month will give heart to Scotland.
A repeat of the display which saw them go 2-0 up at home to Belgium in March, without the second half collapse to 2-2 against 10 men, would be perfect.
