European Championship Qualifying: Scotland's Match Against Spain Is Biggest Ever

Scotland versus Spain.

Tuesday 11th October 2011, k.o 7.45pm. Estadio Jose Rico Perez, Alicante, Spain.

It's a huge match for the whole of Scottish football.

With Spain having already qualified, Scotland need to win to secure qualification—or, more realistically, hope that Lithuania beat the Czech Republic in Kaunas to seal the Scots' progress to the play-offs.

However, with a fired-up national team playing against a side who have already comfortably qualified, should Scotland fans go into the game with a defeatist attitude?

Probably. But stranger things have happened.

Nobody predicted that Scotland would beat France at home and away on the road to Euro 2008 qualifying—but they did.

Although Spain are a massively different team to the aging French squad who were suckered at both Hampden and the Parc des Princes, there's no ruling out another shock result. But if Craig Levein's men are to win in the searing Spanish temperatures, Scotland desperately need some help from Lady Luck after receiving none of it from a certain Dutch referee in last month's 2-2 draw with the Czechs.

The now infamous Kevin Blom awarded the Czechs a last-minute penalty after a blatant dive by Rezek, but seconds later booked Scottish defender Christophe Berra for diving after he was tripped in the box.

Scotland fans will be praying for some redistributed fortune tonight.

But it's not just the national side who need a lift.

SPL sides have endured a horrible season in Europe, with Dundee United, Hearts, Motherwell and Rangers all crashing out before August had even ended.

Only Celtic remain in the Europa League, and they've stuttered to a loss and a draw in an admittedly tough group. The European co-efficient continues to slide.

Rangers are also in deep trouble. A multi-million pound tax case hangs over the club and could send them into administration if it does not go their way—but Scotland's progress tonight could see the gloom lifted over Ibrox, even if only for a short while.

So as Craig Levein's side take to the field tonight, they go with the hopes of an entire nation resting on their shoulders.

It could be one of the most crucial matches in the history of Scottish football.