World Cup qualifiers: Scotland defender Scott McKenna determined to achieve 'dream' and secure place in North America

“It’s probably something we’ve always dreamed of since we were kids.”

Some of the Scotland squad were not born when the national team last reached a World Cup, but they are now potentially two games away from ending a 28-year exile.

At least a draw in Greece on Saturday, so a win over Denmark at Hampden Park three days later would secure top spot in Group C, with a play-off already guaranteed as back-up.

Defender Scott McKenna, who was just one when the Scots competed in France ’98, insists the players all believe it is time to return to football’s biggest tournament.

“The cohesion in the squad that we’ve built over the last five or six years, qualifying for two Euros, there’s belief when it comes to big games that we can go out there and perform and get the results that are required,” he said.

“For everyone it would be absolutely incredible. It’s probably something we’ve always dreamed of since we were kids.

“Obviously we’re still two games away from that and it’s important that all our focus right now is on Greece. So after that we move on to Denmark.”

Scotland have beaten Belarus twice, won over Greece at Hampden and held Denmark to a goalless draw away from home in this qualifying campaign.

Points over performance

It was points on top of the performances last month against Greece and Belarus.

McKenna is confident they have learned some lessons: “Obviously the points were there but the performances on the pitch were not at the level expected and the level used over the last few years.

“It’s definitely something we’ll have to improve on, but at the end of the day the points last month are what put us in this position to qualify.”

Speaking at the meeting with the Greeks in Piraeus, the Dinamo Zagreb centre-back added: “I think any team that has already lost the ability to qualify will have a point to prove.

“Obviously they lost to us last month where they were arguably better than us for 60 minutes, they will come to prove a point.

“But we showed what we can do last month in the last 30 minutes. We will try to do it for longer this time.”

Time to ‘pay back’ the Tartan Army

The National Stadium will be full when Scotland take on Denmark on November 18 in what the Scots hope will be a Group C decider.

An estimated 200,000 of the Tartan Army were in Germany for last year’s European Championship and McKenna will be bracing for an even bigger support if they make it to next summer’s World Cup.

“There were thousands and thousands of fans who traveled to Germany and all the cities we played in and spent a lot of money to come there to support us. Not only in Germany but also at home,” the 29-year-old added.

“It really brought everyone together so I could imagine it would be like that but on steroids if it was a World Cup.

“The Scottish fans follow us everywhere, not just through these big tournaments.

“When we played Belarus behind closed doors, there were still Scottish fans who made the effort to travel and stood and sang outside the stadium.

“The support we get everywhere is amazing, regardless of the size of the game. We have a lot to repay the fans for all that support.”

Scotland squad

Goalkeepers: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Craig Gordon (Hearts), Liam Kelly (Rangers).

Defenders: Josh Doig (Sassuolo), Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al Etiffaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Kieran Tierney (Celtic).

Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Ben Gannon Doak (Bournemouth), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Napoli), Connor Barron (Rangers), Andy Irving (West Ham).

Extenders: Che Adams (Torino), Lyndon Dykes (Birmingham), George Hirst (Ipswich), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts).