Scotland captain Scott Brown insists he has not allowed his mind to wander towards what might be.
Victory tonight over Poland at Hampden and a follow-up win over Gibraltar on Sunday would clinch a play-off spot for the Scots in Euro 2016 qualifying Group D.
That would ensure the dream of playing in France next summer for Brown and his teammates would be very much alive.
It would mean everything to Brown, his teammates, coach Gordon Strachan, the Tartan Army and the Scots public to reach what would the nation’s first finals since the World Cup in 1998 which were, of course, played in France.
Back then the whole world was watching as Scotland kicked off that competition with a glamour curtain-raiser against then reigning world champions Brazil, which they went on to lose 2-1 after Tom Boyd scored an own goal.
Nevertheless, when the players walked across the pitch in their kilts before kick-off in the magnificent Stade de France it was nice to think that Scotland was, at least for that glorious day, right at the heart of the beautiful game.
If they can win tonight and then in Faro against Gib this new generation of players in dark blue will give themselves a chance of getting back across the English Channel and experience the magic that is present at a major finals.
However, Brown insisted they can’t afford to look that far ahead.
Asked if he had allowed himself to even consider what it would feel like to qualify, Brown replied: “No and that’s because we are not there.
“We don’t use it as a motivation.
“If we think that we just need to turn up and get a point and then we will be there (in France) then that’s fairytale stuff.
“Instead, we have to do it the hard way. We need to get six points on the board then we see where it takes us.
“Maybe then we can dream.
“I remember being 13 when France 98 was on the TV and watching the opening game against Brazil.
“John Collins equalised from the penalty spot then good, old Tommy Boyd put his body on the line, as he always did, and the own goal was just of these things that happens.
“But those guys have been there, done it.
“They have the memories until the day they die.
“Hopefully, we can get those memories too.”
The magnitude of tonight’s game is there for all to see and even Brown – a veteran of Champions League games, cup finals and championship clinchers admitted it’s a biggie.
“Yes, it is up there,” confirmed the Celtic midfielder.
“It is a huge game for us. Every game in this campaign has been huge but we need to get something here.
“There are two games to go and we need to get as many points as possible.
“The last two games (defeats to Georgia and Germany) weren’t exactly what we had planned but we need to kick on now, focus on Poland and hopefully Gibraltar will take care of itself.
“The lads are looking forward to it.
“It is a big game in front of our own support at a packed Hampden and it will be a good one.”
Brown was asked if, given the scenario of having to beat the Poles at home then Gibraltar away to finish third and earn a play-off, the players would have accepted that at the start of the campaign.
He replied: “Yeah, I think we would have done.
“We are still trying to get to the play-offs so it’s still possible.
“It started great for us but there was always going to be a little blip.”
Whether taking just one point from a possible nine in their last three games against the Irish, Georgians and Germans is a “blip” is debatable.
However, what is surely beyond doubt is that Poland possess a fabulous frontman in the free-scoring Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich fame.
Brown, though, played down the notion that it will be the Lewandowski show tonight.
He said: “It is not about one guy – it is a team game.
“That is where we come to our strength.
“We are strong as a team, we work hard off the ball and on the ball and we believe in each other.
“Hopefully, Poland do rely too much on one player.
“I think sometimes you need some individual people but we have Shaun Maloney who is just as good with a free-kick as anyone there is.
“We have Steven Fletcher who can score goals, we have Steven Naismith who works hard and creates more than most people in the Premier League and who can score a hat-trick against Chelsea.
“So you can’t tell me that we don’t have good individuals but the thing about us is that we have a great core as well.
“So while there is a lot that we need to worry about, they have a lot that they need to worry about as well.
“We have some top-quality players and we are technically as good as anyone in this group. We have shown that in spells but we need to do it over 90 minutes now.”