World Cup qualifying: Scotland v Denmark

Venue: Hampden Park, Glasgow Date: Tuesday, 18 November Time: 19:45 GMT

Coverage: Watch on BBC Scotland, BBC Two & iPlayer, listen on BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Nan Gaidheal & Sounds, live text commentary on the BBC Sport website & app

You are standing in the home dressing room at Hampden, the place is silent.

The bell has just gone to signal it’s time to walk out in front of a packed national stadium. Return with a win and the men sitting in front of you become legends.

As Steve Clarke tries to mastermind a path to next summer’s World Cup, he’ll be delivering arguably the most important pre-match team talk of his coaching career.

But what would you say?

Here’s a selection of your messages before the big game against Denmark.

‘Time for heroes, a free hit, get into them…’

Willie: The hard work has been done to finish in the top two at worst so I want you to relax and be proud. As you cross that line, I want you to think only of the pride and smiles you can put on the faces of your kids, siblings, parents, grandparents and for those who have become angels… trust they are looking over you… trust each other and hold your heads high, now go and make your own history in that shirt you wear with pride.

Mark: Football is a simple game. The more time spent in the opposition half, the greater the chance of scoring. Get the ball forward, get it in the box, give every ounce of strength and pain that you have. Come off that pitch with zero regrets, knowing you gave everything. Think of your family in the stands, your friends back home and how they will feel to watch their son or friend be the one to take Scotland to a World Cup. Don’t do it for me, or even for yourself. Do it for them. Make them proud, make yourself a legend and let’s send this country and this crowd wild with excitement. Come on Scotland.

Craig: What would you give for a second chance? What would you do if, today, you were struck by lightning and died, only to wake up tomorrow morning and realise you’ve been given a second chance at life? What would you stop worrying about tomorrow that worries you today? What opportunities would you take with your second chance? Would you have the same fears? Same doubts? Same apprehension? Our chances of automatic qualification died on Saturday night, only to be resurrected almost immediately. Take this second chance with both hands and charge into a future that, once so certain, is now unwritten. The Danes were chased from Scotland by the thistle once before, do it again!

Steven: It’s been too long now and the longer we wait the more the fear has grown, but nothing in life that’s easy to obtain ever has any meaning, take the risks play with no fear. Fear is something we all have to overcome in life, if you overcome this then it will become your legacy.

Dave: Just get into them, 100 miles an hour, full on, no let up, leave nothing on the pitch…

Alfie: Play-off is in the bag. This is a free hit. Win, and we’re at the World Cup. Be brave, no regrets, and go for it: we need the intensity and level of performance that we saw in the final 25 minutes in Greece.

Mike: This is your chance to become immortalised in Scottish football folklore. Hold your head up high as the Tartan Army stands side by side, right behind you believing in you. Use the power of Scottish pride to win. Remember Wallace at Stirling. Remember Bruce at Bannockburn. The Lion Rampant will roar once again at the World Cup when you bring back victory over the Danes.

George: Go out enjoy yourselves, play your best and you’ll be legends.

Joe: Many of these fans don’t know what being at a World Cup feels like. Years of pain can end in these 90 minutes. It’s time to repay these fans for their years of loyal support. Alba gu bràth.

Wee Shug: You men have an unbelievable chance to achieve something no other Scotland team has done for 27 years. Go out there and take the opportunity, run yourselves into the ground, hassle them, harry them and take the game to them! It is time! GOOO!!!!

Willie: Don’t have any regrets.

Scott: Do you believe boys? Do you believe? Believe and we win this game and get to the World Cup! You will inspire the kids across the country and bring tears to adults who have longed for this since France 98! Believe and you will become heroes, do it for you, for your families, for the fans, the Tartan Army, for Scotland! Fight for every ball, for each other, for Scotland. Hear the roar when you step out there and feel it in your heart! This is our time so make it count, c’mon boys believe and get us to the World Cup, c’mon sons of Scotland!

Peter: Leave it all out there on the pitch, take the game by the scruff of the neck and book yourselves on a flight to the Americas, engraving your names on the memories of the Tartan Army, forever!

Jack: There’s nothing behind you. Just look at what’s in front. You know you’ll be immortals if you take us to the World Cup. Don’t second guess anything on the way. Score more goals than the other side and that’s all that matters.

Jim: Ninety minutes of the second-half 45 minutes you gave me on Saturday evening in Piraeus. I want you to play the way we always used to play, attack, attack, attack with passion, precision and shoot on sight. No square and backwards passes, think forward, think goals, think of the fans and how much we want to be at the finals.

Brian: Go out and play your best football and do Scotland and the fans proud.

Gareth: Lads, there are times in our lives when we wish we could do something for our county. To show them the name on the back of our shirt means something more than just letters. A legacy where your family can say, ‘he did it’. Let’s go out there and show the world that Scotland are here and we won’t go down. We won’t hide. We are coming!!

Brodie: Lads, you can become legends. 100% tonight, and we can win this. 100% tonight and we have the World Cup. Denmark are a tough side but we can do it tonight.

Andrew: Now is the time to become a hero, all you need to do for the next 90 minutes is to play to your capabilities and work your socks off and you win the match. A nation is willing you on so go out there and inspire the fans. You have worked hard during the campaign to get here so now is not the time for if only. Hampden is waiting to acclaim a team of winners. So don’t leave anything out there. Your time has come.

Daniel: It’s been 26 years since last qualification. Some of you weren’t even born. Think of your friends, your family and relatives who have lived through that pain. You have 90 minutes to change that. This is your opportunity to be heroes for generations to come. Together, we can win this. Do it for the fans. Do it for your families. Do it for each other. Whose ready? Let’s go.

Choose your XI and formation

With regular first choice Angus Gunn injured, veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon lined up in Greece, despite not featuring for Hearts so far this season.

The 42-year-old made some important saves but admitted himself he was disappointed with the concession of the third goal in Piraeus. Should he keep his place or make way for Falkirk regular Scott Bain or Rangers back-up Liam Kelly.

Billy Gilmour is not fit enough to be considered, so do you stick or twist in central midfield?

Scotland’s performance against Greece improved dramatically in the final 25 minutes as they reduced a three-goal deficit. A raft of substitutes were involved in that late push, including forwards Lyndon Dykes, George Hirst and Lawrence Shankland. Which, if any of that trio, are candidates for a starting place this time?

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