Israel head coach Willi Ruttensteiner believes his side cannot afford to lose at Hampden - as that would secure Scotland a place in the play-offs.

"If it is a draw, it will be exciting until the end," the Austrian said. "If we can win the game then we will only have the butter on the bread, not more."

Israel's latest two visits to Hampden have been behind closed doors because of the pandemic and, like counterpart Clarke, Ruttensteiner thinks a full house should be "an advantage" to Scotland.

"We feel right at home here," he said. "But it feels like a different game.

"They are the clear favourites. We are placed 80th in the rankings and all over Europe they will say, if Israel is in front of Scotland at the end, then it is a big success. But we are so prepared for this game and I think we are strong."

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We expect to hear more from Steve Clarke ahead of kick-off, but yesterday he said he was "excited" at the thought of a first full house at Hampden since he became head coach.

"I am intrigued to see if that makes a difference," he said.

"I know the players are looking forward to it, I am looking forward to it and hopefully it gives us that little bit extra impetus to go and get the points that we want."

However, Clarke expects another close contest.

"I think we both have improved, probably in equal measures," he said. "I have spoken quite a lot about how I feel we have improved over my tenure and I think the Israelis have done the same under their coach."

Image source, SNS

Leanne Crichton
Ex-Scotland international on BBC Sportsound

Willie Miller
Former Scotland defender on BBC Sportsound

Celtic midfielder Nir Bitton returns to Israel's starting line-up in the visitors' defence.

More team news from Willi Ruttensteiner's selection to come.

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It is a surprising statistic that, despite being a prolific striker with Dunfermline Athletic and Rangers in the 1960s, Sir Alex Ferguson never managed an official Scotland cap.

That will be remedied today ahead of kick-off as the former Manchester United and Aberdeen manager receives recognition for playing for his country on their 1967 tour of Asia and Oceania.

It will be the 79-year-old's first time back at the national stadium since suffering a brain haemorrhage in 2018 and national boss Steve Clarke hopes the legend's presence will help inspire his team to victory.

Leanne Crichton
Ex-Scotland international on BBC Sportsound

A typical Scottish autumn drizzle envelopes Glasgow as fans troop to Hampden Park.

But whose parade will be rained on by the end of the 90 minutes in the south side of the city?

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Stuart McCall
Former Scotland midfielder on BBC Sportsound

Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has returned after injury and gets the nod from Steve Clarke on the right of a three-man central defence in place of suspended Norwich City man Grant Hanley.

It means that Club Bruges' Jack Hendry will move into the centre from the right.

Meanwhile, the only other change from the win in Austria last time out is at right wing-back, where Rangers' Nathan Patterson is chosen ahead of Motherwell's Stephen O'Donnell.

However, Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay returns after injury and could again be utilised in the back three.

Approve of those changes? Give us a thumbs up for yes, thumbs down for no.

Here's how it stands at the moment - and the Group F table shows how crucial it is that Scotland win this evening.

Top seeds Demark look home and hosed for the automatic qualifying spot as they visit Moldova later.

Should Scotland lose, they will fall behind the visitors and, in all likelihood, allow Austria back into the hunt for second given the side sitting fourth are likely to take three points from their game in Faroe Islands.

Image source, BBC Sport

A few of us fancy our chances at being a Pep Guardiola, but judging from your choices in our squad selector, most of you have some way to go before competing with the Manchester City boss.

For a start, most have gone with a 4-3-3 formation that Scotland almost never use under Steve Clarke.

Not only that, but to squeeze Callum McGregor into your line-up, you've stuck the Celtic midfielder up front.

To be fair, the only other potentially contentious choice is at right-back, where you go for the attacking flair of Rangers' Nathan Patterson ahead of Motherwell's Stephen "Steady Eddie" O'Donnell.

Beat Israel at Hampden, win in the Faroes on Tuesday then follow that with a victory in Moldova in November and Scotland will secure second place in this group.

Then it would be into the play-offs for a shot at Qatar 2022 and a first appearance at a World Cup finals since 1998.

It's that simple, eh?

BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound is already well under way with its build-up to this evening's game.

Among those joining host Richard Gordon are former Scotland players Willie Miller, Michael Stewart and Leanne Crichton.

You can listen along while reading here by clicking the window at the top of the page.

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A capacity crowd at Hampden awaits for the first time since Steve Clarke became Scotland head coach.

It is a sign not only of moving tide of the Covid-19 pandemic but of the growing belief within the Tartan Army that World Cup qualification is swinging in Scotland's direction.

But visitors Israel are also still in the mix and have proven to be a match for the Scots in their regular meetings in recent years.

Stay with us for the build-up, live commentary and post-match reaction online and on BBC Radio Scotland.

Image source, SNS