Euro 2008 qualifying/Scotland v France: Scotland, top of Group B after their professional dismissals of Faroe Islands and Lithuania last month, welcome France to Glasgow for a contest as eagerly anticipated as the play-off against Holland for Euro 2004.
The beaten World Cup finalists hover behind them on goal difference yet while there is an acceptance that they remain on a different plain from Smith's resurgent side in terms of class and skill, there is also hope.
The Scots retain the ability to ruffle high-calibre opponents and in the furious atmosphere of a sold-out Hampden, France may just quiver.
The French would do well to acknowledge the threat posed by Scotland. Walter Smith has instigated organisation, grit and a tactical plan. There is certainly no fear in Scotland's ranks.
"You can't hide from how good France are," Smith said. "They are considered by many to be the number one team in the world. Why kid yourself that they're anything else?
"But I sense there's a little bit of belief that we can cause teams problems, not just France but others well above us in the rankings. Just how much of a problem, we'll have to wait and see. "
It would be easy for Scotland to seek encouragement from France's stodgy qualification for the 2006 World Cup finals, a campaign which brought unconvincing displays against Ireland, Switzerland and Israel. Yet they have lost only one of their past 40 qualifying matches, and that a 3-2 defeat to Russia before Euro 2000, which they went on to win.
Denied the industry up front of the suspended Kenny Miller, Smith is likely to hand James McFadden the lone forward role today despite the fact the Everton player has had only only 70 minutes' reserve-team football in the past month.
"The magnitude of the game will help us," Smith added.
"France have a situation where if their teamwork's a little bit off, they've got individuals who can still cause you a problem.
"We're not like that, but I hope we continue to show that we are making progress."
The Scots have done that and should they win today the world may be forced to acknowledge the renaissance in progress.
Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko stayed in Kiev yesterday - reportedly with a "worrying" temperature of 39 degrees - while the national squad flew to Italy for today's qualifying match.
Ukraine won their opening match, beating Georgia 3-2.
World champions Italy have only a point from two games, against Lithuania and France.
Guardian Service
