Speaking yesterday, Scotland head coach Steve Clarke said "It's been a long time since we turned over one of the big boys".

Do Russia qualify as a big boy? With a population of almost 145 million, let's say yes.

"It's about time that we as a nation, rather than being on the receiving end, are dishing out a result that's deemed an upset," Clarke added. "Hopefully, Friday night can be the case."

Scotland's last notable scalp came six years ago when, already out of the running for World Cup 2014 qualification, they stunned Croatia - then ranked number four in the world - 1-0 in Zagreb.

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Steve Clarke has only been in charge for two games, but he doesn't have time to settle into the job after inheriting a side in trouble.

Here's what Scottish FA Performance Director Malky Mackay had to tell BBC Sportsound about the man in the hot seat: "He'll put pressure on himself. He's a calm man. He's a very experienced manager who has been in the game a long time. Doesn't get too high, doesn't get too low. He knows exactly how he wants to play and is very clear with the players. They've trained well and trained hard. We've had double training sessions most days and they know exactly what's expected of them."

Steve Clarke answered the S.O.S (Save our Scotland) two games into this qualifying campaign and has overseen a win against Cyprus and a loss in Belgium since replacing Alex McLeish.

The former Kilmarnock boss needed an 89th-minute winner from Oli Burke to dig out a 2-1 win in June, shortly after Hampden had been silenced by a Cypriot equaliser.

A few days later in Brussels, the Scots were overpowered by the nation top of the current Fifa rankings, conceding goals in stoppage-time of each half in a 3-0 defeat.

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Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer on Sportsound

Celtic fans will have mixed memories of Russia captain Artem Dzyuba and winger Denis Cheryshev.

Dzyuba, who has 20 goals in 36 internationals, suffered two Champions League defeats against the Glasgow side during his days with Spartak Moscow, while Denis Cheryshev was on target in a 2-0 for Valencia at Celtic Park in February. Surprisingly, Cheryshev is on the bench this evening.

Dzyuba, who stands at 6ft 4in, said: "We generally know how the Scottish national team play. We know that Robertson stands out among the players. It's going be a tough game. They are a strong team that plays using the wings a lot.

"Scotland play a British game, they are going to be a very tough opponent with constant tackles and fight. The team who wins the most tackles will win the match and we will try to be more aggressive."

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Russia manager Stanislav Cherchesov didn't have much to say at yesterday's media conference but he did dip into the global handbook for describing important games.

"We understand this is not a regular game. Looking at the table, you could say this match is for six points rather than three."

Russia head coach Stanislav Cherchesov actually played in Russia's last visit to Hampden. The former goalkeeper was beaten by Scott Booth after 19 minutes, with the game ending 1-1.

Asked what his memories of the match were, he told reporters, via a translator, something about the referee asking him to change jerseys - and that was it.

It's a blurry photo from 1994 but you can just about see that he has stuck with the tash through the years.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Billy Dodds
Former Scotland striker on Sportsound

This will be Scotland's third meeting with Russia but there were a few games before those Euro qualifiers in 1994-95.

Against the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics), Scotland lost three friendlies and drew 2-2 at the 1982 World Cup - when Alan Hansen and Willie Miller had that infamous accidental collision, allowing Ramaz Shengelia to race away and score.

During the brief period before the break up of Mother Russia, they went by the name of an insurance company (CIS - Commonwealth of Independent States) and Scotland gubbed them 3-0 at Euro 92, with Paul McStay, and Brian McClair on target with early goals and Gary McAllister adding a late penalty.

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Scotland and Russia have not locked horns for a long time.

The Russians were last at Hampden in November 1994 when Dmitri Radchenko levelled soon after Scott Booth had opened the scoring.

That was followed by a 0-0 draw in March as both teams qualified for Euro 96.

The Russians were unbeaten, while group runners-up Scotland lost just once in 10 games, away to Greece.

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

The Fifa rankings have Russia just one place in front of Scotland in joint 46th spot, so nothing to fear then?

Russia's recent record say otherwise, I'm afraid.

A penalty shoot-out loss to Croatia denied them a place in the last four of the World Cup, while they finished behind Sweden on goal difference in the Nations League, beating Turkey home and away.

Today's first result from Group I is just in, with Kazakhstan earning a 1-1 draw away to Cyprus.

It moves the Kazakhs one point ahead of the Scots in the table.

Willie Miller
Former Scotland defender on BBC Radio Scotland

Hearts forward Steven Naismith was a surprise inclusion in the Scotland squad given he has barely played this season after a long period out before the summer. His 50th cap will need to wait since he is not fit enough to even make the bench tonight.

As if we need reminding, the reason Scotland are playing catch-up in Group I - and the reason Steve Clarke was parachuted in for this rescue mission in May - is the dismal opening day loss in Kazakhstan.

Scotland were battered 3-0 in Astana on 21 March, while Russia turned up at the same venue three days later and strolled to a 4-0 victory.

Since the Russians started with defeat away to leaders Belgium, they have racked up three wins without conceding a goal.

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So, how different is the team Steve Clarke has picked to the most popular choices on our BBC team selector? Not very, with Ryan Christie in for Celtic team-mate Callum McGregor from your picks. There was no way a player like McGregor was going to be left out this evening.

There were almost 20,000 votes, with 4-4-2 the number one choice of formation.

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer on Sportsound

Willie Miller
Former Scotland defender on BBC Radio Scotland