Charlie Nicholas pinpoints Scotland 'mental insecurity' under Steve Clarke as he lays out 3 point plan to upset Spain

Concerned Charlie Nicholas reckons Scotland still show a "mental insecurity" in big games under Steve Clarke - but can shake it off with a shock result against Spain.

Scotland face the European heavyweights on Tuesday looking to build on their opening day success against Cyprus and take a big step towards Euro 2024 with a landmark result by putting a dent Luis de la Fuente's hopes of topping the group. However, the Spanish have shown they will be a tough test as they bounced back from a disappointing World Cup campaign to see off Norway on opening day with a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Clarke can take confidence from an impressive record at Hampden - losing just once in their last 17 games - and Nicholas has called for the boss to leave the Group A favourites "rattled" by taking the game to their top talent. Writing for the Scottish Daily Express, Nicholas said: "This is the best Scotland squad in as many as 25 years - now let's see them prove it by getting a result against Spain at Hampden tonight. Steve Clarke's side need to start making their reputation against stronger countries.

"This is an opportunity we must grasp in the race to qualify for Euro 2024. We can't treat Group A as a battle for runners-up spot by waiting for Norway to turn up and then putting all our efforts into trying to beat them.

"Scotland must have a go at Spain. They are an elite country and it would be seen as the ultimate scalp and a major statement of intent if we took three points off them.

"Following the weekend's opening 3-0 win over Cyprus, this evening's match is a golden opportunity. It's the type of against-all-odds contest Scotland win every so often, like we did against France home and away in 2006 and 2007.

"We have definitely improved