SO, WHAT NEXT FOR SCOTLAND?

What impact did Chris Martin’s late winner have on our chances of qualifying? Significant. But only in that without it we were as good as out. Now we have some hope.

Last week Gordon Strachan said Slovenia was must-win. Presumably the same applies to the remaining five matches? Not exactly. England are the runaway group winners, so a loss or a draw against them would not necessarily be fatal. However, if we fail to win that one, there would be little margin for error against Lithuania (a), Malta (h), Slovakia (h), Slovenia (a).

So what points return from a possible 15 are we looking for?

Ideally 15 of course but that’s in the realms of fantasy. Ten or 11 points added to the seven we already have would give us a reasonable chance of finishing second. 12 would probably get us there. A run of draws in the games between our direct competitors for second spot would also be helpful. If we finish second, are we automatically in the play-offs? No. The worst-placed second team of the nine sections is eliminated. However, recent results suggest the unlucky side might come from elsewhere. Slovakia, currently second in our section, have nine points. Montenegro in Group E only have seven. Sweden in Group A only have ten, as do Northern Ireland in Group C and Iceland in Group I.

So what happens next?

England at Hampden on June 10. A game that had the look of a nonevent two minutes from time on Sunday now has everything riding on it. A point or three will do nicely.