Goalkeeper David Marshall spoke of the “slim” hopes of Scotland qualifying for the 2020 European finals through Group I after the 2-1 defeat by Russia at Hampden Park.
Steve Clarke’s side took the lead after just 10 minutes on Friday night when midfielder John McGinn scored his first international goal.
However, the visitors levelled through skipper Artem Dzyuba five minutes before the interval and in the 59th minute Scotland defender Stephen O’Donnell put through an own goal under pressure from Yuri Zhirkov.
After just two wins in five fixtures Scotland are in fourth place in the table on six points while Russia are second with 12 points, three behind leaders Belgium who visit Hampden on Monday night.
The Nations League semi-final play-off next March offers Scotland another way into Euro 2020 but when asked about the chances of getting there by the traditional route, the 34-year-old Wigan goalkeeper said: “It is obviously slim.
“We know that, we are realistic about it. There is half the campaign gone and we have to go and win on Monday night, we know that.
“It is a massive ask at this stage but you feel better in a couple of days after you get a few days training in and we will go again on Monday. There is a lot of football to be played. We need to get our heads right. There is still five games to go in the group.
“We know how slim it is but we need to go and win a big game.
“We obviously know Belgium really well. We will have a gameplan which may change because it is turned into a game we need to go and win now. I am sure we will be ready. Football changes very quickly. We were in the ascendancy and came off it. So we will go and give it a go on Monday.
“We know what the crowd is like here (at Hampden) if we get going and if we can get a start on Monday like we did against Russia hopefully we can maintain it. But we are under no illusions.”
Like most of the Scotland players, Marshall was at a loss as to how the home side failed to build on their early good play and goal.
The former Celtic, Cardiff and Hull goalkeeper said: “It was a big game and we needed the points.
“They are a good team but I don’t think we played that well.
“It was just a disappointing result.”