Gordon Strachan will tomorrow find out who stands between Scotland and a place in the 2016 European championship finals in France.
The draw is being made in Nice and, for the first time in the event’s history, the 2016 finals accommodate 24 teams rather than the usual 16. In theory, that means Scotland should have a better chance of qualifying for a major finals for the first time since 1998.
Another change in the rules means France do take part in qualifying (although their matches will be regarded as friendlies) even though they are hosts. But they will be drawn into a group of five.
The good news for England is that they have been seeded for the draw, so there is no chance of them being pitted against European heavyweights like Germany, Holland, Italy or holders Spain.
Also, Uefa rules state that, due to television reasons, England can be drawn only in a group of six – so there is no chance of Roy Hodgson’s side being drawn with France.
Pot 2 contains potentially tricky opponents in Belgium, Sweden and Croatia. But the increase in the size of the finals means Scotland do not have to top their group to qualify.
A worst-case scenario for England is to be drawn against Belgium, Turkey, Montenegro, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.
The runners-up in the nine groups automatically qualify for the finals, as does the best third-placed team. The eight other teams that finish third will go into play-offs to produce four qualifiers. France, as host nation, makes up the 24.
POT 1: Spain, Germany, Holland, Italy, England, Portugal, Greece, Russia, Bosnia-Herzegovina.
POT 2: Ukraine, Croatia, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium, Czech Republic, Hungary, Republic of Ireland.
POT 3: Serbia, Turkey, Slovenia, Israel, Norway, Slovakia, Romania, Austria, Poland.
POT 4: Montenegro, Armenia, Scotland, Finland, Latvia, Wales, Bulgaria, Estonia, Belarus.
POT 5: Iceland, Northern Ireland, Albania, Lithuania, Moldova, Macedonia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Cyprus.
POT 6: Luxembourg, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Faroe Islands, Malta, Andorra, San Marino, Gibraltar.