Christie looks to put tackle behind him with Scotland progress

therefore that there is more at stake in these remaining qualification group matches than simple pride and ranking points.

“After we’d lost to Russia and Belgium, the manager’s main message to us was: ‘Look, we have four games left to get ourselves into top shape and win as many points as we can so that we’re going into these vital play-off games in the best possible condition’,” he said.

“It kind of suits us now that the gettogethers are coming every month because it gives the gaffer more time to work with us and for us to work with each other.

“The extra time together should help us. The gaffer has been absolutely tremendous to work with in the camps so far and every single player has noticed that. The biggest shame for me about the last two games is that we didn’t get the results for him because we’d been in such good spirits at training during the build-up. Now the only way to put that right is to go to Moscow and get a positive result and start to build some momentum.”

For now, the Scots are holding on to any positives they can, and Christie believes that despite the disappointment of the last doubleheader against Russia and Belgium, there were kernels of what Clarke’s side just may be capable of if they can put it all together over a whole match.

“If we could sustain the way we started against Russia for 90 minutes then we’d be a very good side,” he said. “And it sounds ridiculous but, even against Belgium, we had an excellent five minutes before they hit us on the break, but that’s something we’re going to have to become more aware of.

“We need to become more adaptable and to develop consistency for the majority of spells during matches rather than just playing well in flashes. If we can do that then we’ll start getting the results we want.”

When you look around the changing room, you see the quality that we possess. It’s just about transferring that on to the pitch