The feelgood factor currently warming Scotland seems very immediate and “now”. Its horizon extends no further than the imminent three games against Malta, Slovakia and Slovenia and how they will shape the climax of Group F. Not only is no-one yet giving serious thinking time to the prospect of Scotland actually being in Russia next summer — flights, hotels, distances, prices, hooligans — even the play-offs themselves have hardly been considered. They would start in only nine weeks’ time.
Here’s a thought to get the Scottish Football Association’s marketing department salivating while Gordon Strachan would drop his head into his hands: Cristiano Ronaldo could be at Hampden in two months’ time. Things will change in the remaining three rounds of qualifiers but for now the