Scotland are yet to have any meaningful possession as Italy line up a free-kick in a dangerous position.

The early signs suggest Italy are not shy about shelling long balls in the direction of Graziano Pelle. It could be a tough evening for Grant Hanley and Russell Martin.

An early scare for Scotland as a low ball rolls into the path of Graziano Pelle at the edge of the penalty box but the big Italy striker has a fresh air swipe.

Italy, in their traditional blue, get the game started...

So, would the players rather be on the beach after an energy-sapping season? No chance, according to Darren Fletcher.

Talking yesterday, tonight's skipper said: "The motivation is great because we are challenging ourselves against top-class sides. Individually you are playing against top-class players. 

"And at the same time you want to impress the manager. These sort of challenges are going to help us get ready for the qualifiers, which is the most important thing at the start of the season." 

Tonight, Fletcher joins Tom Boyd on 72 international appearances, taking him joint fifth on Scotland's most capped players.

Scotland are wearing their pink kit as the band of travelling fans belt out Flower of Scotland.

Kevin Gallacher, Kenny Miller and Barry Ferguson are the only other Scots to have scored against the Azzurri.

Ferguson's goal came in the last meeting; a thunderous European Championship qualifier in November 2007, that had Hampden absolutely rocking.

After losing a very early goal, Scotland came roaring back to level and a stretching James McFadden missed a glorious chance before a sucker punch right at the end left us all crestfallen.

Gianluca Zambrotta will still be having nightmares about the chasing he was given by an inspired Alan Hutton that day.

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Scotland's record against Italy is not great.

One win in 10 previous encounters and that came courtesy of a solitary John Greig goal in a 1965 World Cup qualifier.

It didn't stop Italy going to England for the finals where they suffered a shock defeat to North Korea and failed to get out of their group. Scotland didn't make that one but cuffed the winners not long after to become unofficial world champs...

"We want Callum Paterson to do what he's been doing all season for Hearts. I just want the players to be brave on the ball.

"It's the Juventus back three and goalkeeper, so it's not going to be an easy night for our forwards." 

Goals might be a problem for Italy at the Euros, so it will be interesting to see how Inter Milan's Eder gets on up front tonight.

Antonio Conte's men could only manage 16 in 10 qualifying games, with Malta and Azerbaijan also in their section. 

Southampton striker Graziano Pelle joins Brazilian-born Eder in attack and he is the top scorer during Conte's reign, with four. He's a handful in the air and defenders can often be dazzled by his outrageous handsomeness.

Image source, Getty Images

Italy are not fancied by the bookmakers to make much of a splash at Euro 2016 but they could be dark horses in France next month.

Andrea Pirlo is no longer considered after his move to New York, while Claudio Marchisio and Marco Verratti are out because of injury but there is a still a depth of top level experience available to coach Antonio Conte.

They were unbeaten on the way to topping one of the sterner qualifying groups, which included Croatia, Norway and Bulgaria, who can all be filed in the 'no mug's' category.

It's warm over in Malta so it's good to see the fans taking on vital fluids before the game...

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John McGinn is the only Scotland player not available tonight. The Hibernian midfielder has a groin problem and will not be risked.

Italy: Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Florenzi, Giaccherini, De Rossi, Darmian, Candreva, Pellè, Eder.

Subs: Sirigu, Marchetti, Astori, Rugani, Ogbonna, De Sciglio, Zappacosta, Parolo, Jorginho, Sturaro, Benassi, El Shaarawy, Bonaventura, Bernardeschi, Zaza, Insigne, Immobile.

Scotland: Marshall, Paterson, Mulgrew, Martin, Hanley, Phillips, D.Fletcher, McArthur, McCormack, Ritchie, Anya

Subs: Fox, Hamilton, Naismith, Berra, McKay, Bryson, Greer, S.Fletcher, Kingsley, Burke

The Scotland squad that returns to take on Malta on 4 September may look a little different since there are several absentees on this trip.

Hull quartet Robert Snodgrass, Shaun Maloney, Andrew Robertson and Allan McGregor and Sheffield Wednesday's Barry Bannan were involved in yesterday's English Championship play-off final.

Craig Gordon, Kieran Tierney, James Forrest, Leigh Griffiths and captain Scott Brown have been given time off, with Celtic in Champions League qualifying action in mid-July.

Full-backs Alan Hutton and Lee Wallace and striker Chris Martin were late withdrawals.

You could field a decent XI with that lot...

Well, I'm not entirely sure but the Scotland squad are staying on for a training camp before travelling to France next weekend where they meet the Euro 2016 hosts in Metz.

It will also give manager Gordon Strachan and his men a look at the Ta'Qali Stadium, where the Scots kick-off the next World Cup qualifying campaign in September.

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland in Malta

"As the sun dips over the Maltese horizon, the temperature mercifully drops by a few degrees and a gentle breeze cools the air around the Ta Qali Stadium. It'll still be around 20 degrees when the teams take to the park, with talk of an 18,000 sell-out this evening. It's a wide-open stadium, with a huge track between the stands and pitch, which seems in good condition. That's a very strong-looking Italian side, who'll be desperate to convince Antonio Conte they should be part of his 23-man squad for next month's European Championship."

It's a debut for Hearts full-back Callum Paterson. The 21-year-old has a lot of first team football under his belt for one so young and has an eye for a goal. He scored seven for the Jambos this season.

Swansea left-back Stephen Kingsley and Rangers winger Barrie McKay are also in the squad for the first time, while goalies Scott Fox and Jack Hamilton are uncapped call-ups.

Image source, SNS