A new Scotland dawn has brought a strange sensation and one squad stat shows the Tartan Army are in for a treat - Barry Ferguson

I've been feeling a strange sensation in the build-up to Scotland’s new qualifying campaign, one I’m not used to supporting the national team - hope!

Let’s be honest, confidence isn’t something the Tartan Army regularly have tucked away in their sporrans but I think this year is different. We’ve already got a play-off place secured and a team that seems to be improving all the time under a manager that knows how to get the best out of them. There’s a feel-good factor floating about Steve Clarke’s side and that’s not always been the case.

I won’t lie, there was a stage not so long ago where I wasn’t too bothered if I missed a Scotland game but that’s all changed and you can be assured I’ll be tuning in at 2pm on Saturday. And that’s because I enjoy what this team is all about. We’ve got a manager who I really do rate highly and a group of players that are playing at a really high level. I know there’s been a lot of talk about how uncompetitive our league is right now with the Old Firm 28 points clear of the rest of the domestic chasing pack.

But there’s no doubt our players are mixing it with the best in some of the best leagues in the world. There’s only three Premiership-based outfielders in Clarke’s squad but what that shows is that once again there is an appreciation down south and abroad for our top talent. Now we’ve got a squad packed with Premier League big names and stars from Serie A. And that’s the reason I’m so optimistic heading into this qualifying campaign.

And it’s clearly mutual feeling with the Tartan Army, who have sold out Hampden for Saturday's clash and Tuesday’s showdown with the Spanish too. The national stadium can struggle to hold an atmosphere at times, especially when you look back to some of