It may spring eternal, but hope has not been much associated with the Scotland national team for the majority of this ill-starred stab at World Cup qualification.

They are not going to Brazil, that much we knew long ago, but they may have got going again as a team — the fine win in Macedonia earlier this week strongly suggested as much.

Looking at the Scots lining up for the anthems in Skopje there was quiet determination etched on their faces. Gone was the self-doubt which haunted recent months and crushed the life out of their chances of making it to Rio next summer.