Andy Walker gives his verdict on Scotland's forthcoming World Cup 2018 qualifying campaign.
It has been far too long and far too painful for Scotland supporters and we desperately need a lift.
Not since 1998 has our national team taken part at a major tournament and, on Sunday, Gordon Strachan will send his side out against Malta in the hope of starting well in our pursuit of World Cup qualification for Russia in 2018.
With only the top side in Group F guaranteed to qualify, we are certainly up against it with England, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania and Malta standing in our way.
While it is a blow to be without the services of in-form striker Leigh Griffiths and his Celtic team-mate Kieran Tierney, if we can't beat Malta we can kiss goodbye to our World Cup hopes immediately.
Like Gibraltar in our quest to qualify for Euro 2016, I imagine everyone will take maximum points from the side holding a lowly FIFA ranking of 176. Kevin McDonald and James McArthur will also be missed by manager Gordon Strachan as he tries to put together a new-look side, but even we have enough quality to do without a few first choice picks and still earn all three points against the minnows of the group.
There's not a great deal of change in the group chosen by Strachan, but there are a few players who could step forward and give all Scots a boost.
Oliver Burke looks likely to start and he has taken everyone by surprise with his extraordinary £13million move from Nottingham Forrest to German side RB Leipzig.
All the big English sides were keeping a close eye on the 19-year-old but paying that amount of money up front has secured the deal for Forrest. Burke has surprisingly chosen to broaden his horizons by continuing his education abroad and I'm sure Mark McGhee will have plenty of words of encouragement for him given his time with Hamburg in the Bundesliga.
What an exciting prospect for wide man Burke to try and make his mark at such a young age in a new country, we all wish him well. If he can show all of us what he is capable of on the international stage, hopefully he can be a potential match-winner in tight games.
I would not be surprised to see Hearts defender Calum Paterson start regularly for Scotland during this campaign. I think he has got all the qualities needed to succeed at international level; he's athletic, strong in the air, has an impressive physique and can run all day. Hearts have knocked back a couple of bids for him from Wigan and my only surprise is that a few Championship clubs down south with a bit of money haven't shown more interest.
Although he could never be described as a newcomer to the Scotland scene, it is great news for us that Robert Snodgrass is back to playing his best for Hull City. For 16 long months, the Hull midfielder struggled with an injury that now thankfully seems to be behind him.
I saw Snodgrass play really well for Hull when they won at Swansea recently and he is a player who can undoubtedly give us a bit of magic in this campaign. We will need his craft and guile against England, Slovakia, Slovenia and Lithuania if we are to secure a top-two finish in the group.
In order to give ourselves the best possible chance of qualification, it would be great to see Steven Fletcher, Steven Naismith and Chris Martin starting and scoring regularly for their clubs. Leigh Griffiths has been excellent for Celtic in season-defining games for his club and hopefully he can keep that form up.
Whoever takes to the field for Scotland on Sunday has to realise that the Tartan Army are desperate for success and need a boost.
They have been let down too many times and we now need to deliver.
They need to see a level of performance in the first few games of the group to give them hope and excitement that we can qualify for Russia 2018.
After witnessing the extraordinary support of the home nations at Euro 2016, it is time the Scotland supporters had a chance to showcase their sense of fun and humour to a worldwide audience.
Andy Walker's Team to face Malta
Formation: 4-3-3
Goalkeeper-
Craig Gordon
Defenders-
Callum Paterson- Right-back
Grant Hanley- Centre-back
Gordon Greer- Centre-back
Andy Robertson- Left-back
Midfielders-
Darren Fletcher- Holding midfielder
Robert Snodgrass
John McGinn
Attackers
Matt Ritchie- Wide right
Oliver Burke- Wide left
Steven Fletcher- Centre-forward
You can watch Malta v Scotland Live on Sky Sports 1 on Sunday from 7pm.