Scotland boss Sébastien Pocognoli will be hoping it is third time lucky as he seeks his maiden Hampden Park win on Friday night.
The Tartan Army welcome North Macedonia hoping to rack up a much-needed victory in their penultimate Nations League encounter.
Belgian Pocognoli took over from Steve Clarke following the World Cup and in his first, extended four-game camp in September and October he took four points although they all came away from home.
As such, he’ll be hoping for a far more positive outcome tonight against a side that props up the table with four defeats out of four and a team yet to score a goal.
The occasion is set to be a special one in particular for long-serving defender Andy Robertson. The Spurs man will tonight equal Kenny Dalglish’s tally of 102 Scottish caps and then should surpass the legend on Monday when Scotland conclude their campaign in Switzerland.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s game, the 32-year-old preferred to focus on Dalglish’s achievements instead of necessarily his own.
He said: “Tomorrow is another reason for our country to honour one of the greatest players that has played a game. He’s definitely the greatest from Scotland. I think it’s another reason for everyone to speak about him and realise his achievements in his footballing career. And also the person that he has been throughout his whole life.
“Obviously, in terms of number, I will stand side by side with him but I don’t want people to forget how important this man has been to our country.”
Pocognoli, also speaking in the build-up to the game, was quizzed on his tactical set-up and whether he intends to stick with his three-man defence going forward.
He said: “I try to find the best shape to make the players shine on the pitch. After that, it’s up to them to show it. But I always try to adapt to my team. I think the shape that we play is the best shape to fit the best quality of the team.
“At Union Saint-Gilloise, when we became champions, we played three at the back because that was the system of the club.
“Sometimes I felt like, if we try a back four, maybe we can have more power in the game, but I didn’t do it because the club was building. In Monaco when I make the analysis of the squad, the best shape was a back three, but sometimes we played with a back four.
“It depends on the players’ abilities. I believe for this team, right now, it’s one of the best shapes. It’s a brave style of play that demands a lot of energy. But it’s a process. You need to analyse what is good for the future.”
Talisman Scott McTominay returns for Scotland after missing all four Nations League games to date after heart-related issues that have now thankfully been resolved.
