Derby County’s Scotland internationals Chris Martin and Ikechi Anya go into Thursday’s qualifier against Slovakia at Hampden Park knowing that only a win will do if they want to make it to the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals.
Gordon Strachan’s side sit fourth in Group F and only the maximum six points from their final two games will guarantee them a play-off spot and keep them in the hunt for a summer in Russia.
England have the automatic place all but secure, so that just leaves a three-way shootout to go into the play-off round, which will take place in November.
Slovakia are currently in second place with 15 points whilst next Monday’s opponents Slovenia are level with Scotland one point back.
Strachan’s side will need a big improvement on their last showing against Slovakia – a 3-0 defeat in Trnava nearly a year ago.
Two of Martin’s three international goals have come during this campaign – against Slovenia and Malta – and a strike in his next game would move him level with the likes of Harry Kane and Leigh Griffiths as the top scorer in the group.
Ikechi Anya will be vying to earn his 28th cap, as Scotland look to qualify for their first major tournament since the 1998 World Cup in France.
Scotland vs. Slovakia
Thursday 5th October
2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying – Group F
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Hampden Park, Glasgow
