Scotland have waited almost three decades for a chance to play at the World Cup, but Steve Clarke’s side finally has the chance to end their exile from the tournament in this week’s final qualification games against Greece and Denmark.
Level on points with Denmark at the top of Group C, the national team can secure an automatic path to the next summer’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada if they can secure at least a draw against Greece, before beating the Danes next Tuesday at Hampden Park.
The last time Scotland sealed qualification to the World Cup came way back on 11 October 1997. Led by the late, great Craig Brown, the national team beat Latvia 2-0 at Celtic Park to nab a place in one of the two automatic qualifying spots ahead of Sweden, thanks to strikes from Kevin Gallacher and Gordon Durie.
But what happened to the Scotland starting XI from the last time Scotland qualified for the World Cup back in 1997?
1. Jim Leighton
The country's second most-capped player of all time, behind Kenny Dalglish, on 91 caps. The iconic Scottish goalkeeper was 40-year-old at the 1998 World Cup, and continued to play for after the tournament, retiring at Aberdeen aged 41 years and 302 days. Re-joined the club as a goalkeeping coach during Craig Brown's spell as manager, but now works as a cancer awareness advocate, working to encourage men to get tested for prostate cancer following his own battle with the disease. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602 Photo: SNS Group
2. Tom Boyd
Trusted Celtic full-back, and occasional centre-half, who played in three major finals. Capped 71 caps by his country, Boyd won eight trophies in 11 years at Celtic before retiring in 2003. Since ending his playing career, the 59-year-old has been awarded an MBE and has worked with former club Celtic as a club ambassador since 2016. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
3. Colin Calderwood
The Stranraer-born defender was capped 36 times by Scotland, and played at two major tournaments for the national team. Calderwood moved from Tottenham Hotspur to Aston Villa in the year following France 98, before retiring at Nottingham Forest. Since retirement, he has managed Northampton Town, Nottingham Forest, Hibs, and Cambridge United. After a short stint with Southampton as first team coach, he returned to Northampton at the start of the year, where he works as the club's Technical Director. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602 Photo: SNS Group
4. Colin Hendry
Nicknamed Braveheart, the Blackburn Rovers centre-back inspired Scotland to qualify for both Euro 96 and the World Cup in 1998 as skipper. Continued to represent the national team until 2001. Retired at Blackpool in 2003 following stints with Rangers, Coventry City, Bolton Wanderers, and Preston North End. Had short managerial spells with Clyde and Blackpool, but moved away from management in 2008. A frequent guest speaker at events across Scotland, his son Callum is a regular for Motherwell. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group