Scotland’s superb win in midweek was certainly different from the last time I covered the international side v Spain, and it’s the sort of result Dundee United can look to for inspiration at Ibrox.
Back in Alicante, in 2011, I was the pitch-side BBC TV reporter watching the Spaniards clinically dismantle us in a 3-1 defeat to end our Euro qualifying hopes.
Then they were too quick in thought, movement and all round ability.
Last week’s 2-0 victory at Hampden shows how we’ve progressed.
In the years between the Alicante loss and last week’s win, football has also changed a fair bit, with the continued growth of statistical analysis.
We now assess a plethora of information on passes, interceptions, duels won and heat maps, where the action happens. All that information provides a modernist dimension to our understanding of the game.
Traditionalists may argue it’s too scientific and most of us have a breaking point. Xg (or expected goals) is a bridge too far for me, nevertheless, many coaches place great emphasis on the analytical information now available to offer any edge over opponents.
Spain in midweek commanded 75% of possession, but the all important factor was that Scotland put the ball in their net twice for no reply.
Scientific methodology might help mould managers’ planning and team selection, but ultimately, the only data that counts is how many times a team scores versus how many times it concedes.
Statistics will surely favour Rangers when United visit on Saturday, but Jim Goodwin’s side might draw inspiration from the national team’s success and the way the goals were scored.
Andy Robertson’s intense harrying in the 7th minute capitalised on a slip by Pedro Porro and his quick release set up Scott McTominay to score.
Then Kieran Tierney’s driving run on the left for the Manchester Unied man to fire home his second was a model display of aggressive, committed play.
Rangers will undoubtedly enjoy the lion’s share of possession and shots on goal against United, but Jim Goodwin’s side has offered evidence of improved self-belief in the games under the new boss.
If Scotland can beat Spain, unbeaten in 19 European qualifiers, then anything is possible.
In fighting for their Premiership survival, inspiration should be sought by United from all sources and, if they need encouragement, what better well to draw it from than Steve Clarke’s side’s unlikely Hampden success?
Dundee are now in command of their own destiny.
Win their game in hand, then their next five, then beat Queens Park on the last day of the season and the Dark Blues are back in the Premiership; simple.
Well maybe not quite that easy but, with seven games left, Gary Bowyer’s side can effectively dictate their own fortunes.
The 3-1 win v Ayr should be a catalyst to banishing any lingering self-doubt that the Dens men are the best-equipped side in the Championship.
Three different scorers and a committed display augur well for the run-in.
With almost the entire squad out of contract at season’s end, some fans might worry that players uncertain of their futures may turn in uncertain performances.
But the heart and desire shown v the Honest Men surely dispels any such concerns.
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