Scotland on ‘brink of history’ ahead of Brazil World Cup tie

While fans have been in party mode for the past few days and weeks, there’s a feeling that some are now starting to crunch the numbers.

“I pull out my spreadsheets every day. We’re not counting our chickens yet, but I feel like we should be good,” said Brian Guthrie of Inverness.

“I was sick to be here, I’d be gutted not to continue. I’d love to go to Mexico City and the spreadsheet says it could happen.”

For Ewen MacDonald, from Machrihanish in Argyll and Bute, the match also offers the chance to rewrite history.

The 44-year-old celebrated his birthday in Miami on Tuesday, exactly 28 years after watching Scotland’s 3-0 defeat against Morocco on his 16th birthday; this result ended the country’s hopes of the 1998 World Cup in France.