Scots plan <i>a la</i> France
Scotland face their sternest test yet in their quest to qualify for Euro 2012 when World Cup holders Spain visit Hampden on Tuesday.
The World and European champions top Group I with maximum points after two games thanks to a 3-1 win over Lithuania on Friday while Scotland slumped to a 1-0 loss to the Czech Republic in Prague.
However, Scotland captain Darren Fletcher says his team have the potential to spring a surprise in their clash in Glasgow and pointed to their wins over France in their qualification campaign for Euro 2008 as evidence of what the Scots can do against the top sides.
The French arrived in Glasgow in October 2006 as runners-up in that summer's World Cup in Germany but went down 1-0 to the Scots, a result that they replicated in Paris the following year.
And Fletcher says Scotland should take inspiration from these results as they attempt to beat the best side in the world.
"We've proved against teams like France that we can do it," the Manchester United midfielder said.
"We're playing against one of the best teams we've seen in a long time. But it's by no means a given.
"We'll go out there and try to get a result. Nobody expects us to get anything but we will try to spring a shock.
"We have to use the France game as an inspiration - we've experienced beating big teams like that.
"Spain will have a lot of possession but I hope we will get chances to take the game to them. The Spanish are not unbeatable - we saw that in the World Cup when Switzerland frustrated them and managed to win."
And Scotland assistant manager Peter Houston has promised Craig Levein's side will adopt a more attacking approach against Spain.
Levein came in for scathing criticism after his side lined up against Group I rivals the Czech Republic in a 4-6-0 formation, and failed to manage a shot on target in the entire 90 minutes on Friday.
Levein is sweating on the fitness of four key players ahead of Tuesday's clash. Tottenham defender Alan Hutton, Wigan's Gary Caldwell, West Brom midfielder Graham Dorrans and Rangers utility man Steven Whittaker all missed training on Sunday as they nursed injuries while Middlesbrough's Barry Robson is suspended.
Spain may be without Liverpool striker Fernando Torres due to injury but his replacement, Fernando Llorente, has warned Scotland he's ready to continue his goal-scoring form at Hampden.
The Athletic Bilbao striker hit a double in their 3-1 win over Lithuania and now Llorente, who has scored six goals in just 11 games for Spain, says he has Scotland in his sights.
"To take over from Torres isn't easy but I have to take this chance," the Spanish striker said.
"We may play with different styles but we both want to score goals. I'm expecting to play and score against Scotland and it will be a great experience to play in Glasgow.”
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