"It took the Gibraltar Football Association 16 years to be granted Uefa membership, during which time the national team played the likes of Shetland, Sark and Orkney in the Island Games," writes BBC Scotland's Richard Wilson.

"They even faced Hibernian in a pre-season friendly two years ago, which they lost.

"Time spent in the foothills of the game hardened resolve. Progress was hard-fought, and when the team lined up for the national anthem ahead of its first internationally recognised fixture, against Slovakia, the players and the supporters wept.

"Only one member of the regular squad is a senior professional - Scott Wiseman, the Preston North End defender - while two play non-league in England - Bristol Rovers winger Jake Gosling and Adam Priestley, the Farsley striker.

"The rest combine ordinary lives with their football careers.

"Jordan Perez, the goalkeeper, is a firefighter; the Chipolina brothers, Joseph and Ryan, are an admin clerk and a customs officer respectively; two of the three Casciaros, Ryan and Lee, are policemen, while the third, Kyle, is a shipping agent..."

Windsor Park is mainly scaffold and portakabins as the Finland anthem is greeted with largely silence. What a chance for Northern Ireland to stay on track at the top of Group F.

The Gibraltar crest - a big red castle with a massive key hanging from it - is top class. Can they cause a major upset?

Almost time for kick-off in the five Euro 2016 qualifiers - all set?

We shall be focusing mainly on Northern Ireland here - and you can follow minute-by minute coverage of the Scotland game here.

Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill: "It's never easy to leave Aaron Hughes out of the side, he's been a brilliant player for many years but he accepted it as I thought he would do. Otherwise, the team is as expected.

"If we win tonight we will be eight points clear of Finland but we expect a very tough game. We have to be patient but we know how to exploit their weaknesses."

Scotland boss Gordon Strachan on Sky Sports: "Our strikers have been vital in holding play up and bringing others into play. The days of Ian Rush and Gary Lineker have gone - there is a different kind of striker now."

We asked how many of the Home Nations and the Republic of Ireland will qualify for Euro 2016.

Ed from Solihull: I think England, Wales and Northern Ireland will likely qualify but it's surely too much to ask for both Scotland and the Republic?

Get in touch at #bbcfootball, external, pop on to the BBC Sport Facebook page, external or BBC Sport's Google+ area., external

You can also text us on 81111 in the UK only - don't forget to say who you are and where you are texting from.nd rep. of Ireland to qualify at the expense of the world champions!

Conor McNamara
BBC commentator

"Windsor Park is a building site at the moment, but this game is the hottest ticket in Belfast this weekend. Just less than 10,000 have been lucky enough to grab the available seats.

"Finland have only scored one goal in their last five internationals, and that was an own goal. There is big optimism here among Northern Ireland fans.

"Mexico 86 was a long time ago, Northern Ireland are dreaming of a return to football's big stage."

World champions Germany are playing this afternoon, and an interesting stat I've just seen is that current forward Thomas Muller has now got more caps than legend Gerd Muller.

Gerd scored a ridiculous 68 goals in his 62 caps, while Bayern forward Thomas has 26 goals in his 63 appearances. Shoddy.

Scotland: Marshall, Martin, Hutton, Robertson, Anya, Brown, Morrison, Maloney, Ritchie, Steven Fletcher, Naismith. Subs: Gordon, Russell, Greer, Bannan, McArthur, May, Rhodes, Darren Fletcher, Forsyth, Berra, Forrest, McGregor.

Gibraltar: Robba, Wiseman, Artell, Ryan Casciaro, Joseph Chipolina, Walker, Payas, Roy Chipolina, Bardon, Priestley, Lee Casciaro. Subs: Jordan Perez, Kyle Casciaro, Gosling, Sergeant, Brian Perez, Jean Paul Duarte, Daniel Duarte, Garcia, Bosio, Jolley, Coeling.

Referee: Mattias Gestranius (Finland)

Northern Ireland: Carroll, Conor McLaughlin, Jonny Evans, McAuley, Brunt, Davis, Baird, Norwood, McGinn, Kyle Lafferty, Ward. Subs: Mannus, Danny Lafferty, McKay, Corry Evans, Dallas, McCourt, McNair, Hughes, McCullough, Magennis, Grigg, McGovern.

Finland: Hradecky, Sorsa, Toivio, Niklas Moisander, Uronen, Ring, Sparv, Mattila, Hamalainen, Pukki, Eremenko. Subs: Maenpaa, Moren, Schuller, Lod, Sadik, Riski, Raitala, Lam, Kauko, Pohjanpalo, Arajuuri, Henrick Moisander.

Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)

Northern Ireland's joint most capped outfield player, Aaron Hughes, has to settle for a place on the bench as Jonny Evans partners Gareth McAuley in central defence.

Conor McLaughlin continues at right-back after performing well in the first batch of Euro 2016 qualifiers and West Brom's Chris Brunt is expected to slot in at left-back.

Kyle Lafferty and Niall McGinn return after missing the midweek friendly against Scotland because they were nursing minor knocks.

We asked how many of the Home Nations and the Republic of Ireland will qualify for Euro 2016.

Michael Farrow: It's either Scotland or Ireland (or neither). Poland and Germany are too strong and will be the top 2, playoffs are a lottery.

Ethan Robinson: Best of luck to all the home nations in the qualifiers today... would love to see them all at Euro 2016.

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Brazil have just scored, in north London. Obviously.

Brazil face Chile in a friendly at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium- and you can follow updates in this page right here.

With Scotland and the Republic of Ireland both in action this evening, how will Group D look at the close of play? Both sides are in a good place after four games.

Scotland could go joint top with a win.

More teams should play fewer defenders at home to 'smaller' teams. I'm fully behind Gordon Strachan here.

BBC Sport's Alasdair Lamont at Hampden

"I think Gordon Strachan has caught everyone by surprise with today's team selection. Many people were predicting he'd play two up front but I'm not sure anyone suggested he might only play one central defender.

"One thing's for sure, this will be no reckless gamble from the Scotland manager. His fastidious preparation means this will be a calculated move and hopefully one that will pay off in the shape of a big win."

Follow minute-by minute coverage of the Scotland game here.

Three wins from their first four qualifiers have left Northern Ireland in a very good place in Group F. Win tonight and it could be time for French lessons in Belfast...

England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Republic of Ireland.

Whisper it quietly but all five could well qualify for Euro 2016 after a fine start to their campaigns. The five nations have never qualified for the same major international tournament before - is this the time?

Image source, PA

How many do you think will qualify - and why?

And whose would be the biggest achievement in reaching the finals in France?

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Image source, Getty Images

Mexico 1986.

It's nearly 30 years since Northern Ireland qualified for a major tournament and they may never get a better chance. A place in the top two in the group will see them through to France remember.

Will we see Chris Baird in Bordeaux? Paddy McNair in Marseille?