IT WAS a pleasure to be in Warsaw on Tuesday to see first-hand Scotland draw with Poland.

That game, coming on the back of Saturday's deserved victory over Georgia, confirmed just how far the national team has progressed under Gordon Strachan.

Having been around the squad for a couple of days, it's the positivity and confidence they currently exude which strikes you most.

They will need every ounce of this if they are to achieve qualification for Euro 2016 because this is shaping up to be an extremely tough group, just as Gordon predicted.

A draw was a fair result in Warsaw, and a creditable one, given the fact Poland were on such a high after beating Germany. Playing so well in that fantastic atmosphere augurs well for the future.

But the Republic of Ireland game next month is as far as anyone can look, and continuing to win our home games must remain the priority.

Martin O'Neill's side have taken four points on the road, with their win in Georgia and draw in Germany, and Scotland must halt this bandwagon at Celtic Park.

Even this early in the campaign it is a pivotal game as no one expected the Republic of Ireland to be sitting joint top with the Poles at this stage.

When the draw was made, most of us considered Scotland were a bit ahead of Martin's side. But they have made a fantastic start.

Likewise, no one predicted Germany would make such a poor fist of it. But you have to expect they will eventually come good.

The backing from the Tartan Army in Poland was fantastic, and it is clear they are relishing having something to cheer again.

The organisation and preparation is first class, even down to Mark McGhee sitting in the stand to get a better view of proceedings before running down to relay what he has spotted to Gordon trackside.

Like the rest of us, he would have been impressed by the performance of Steven Fletcher, and what he brings to the side.

Shaun Maloney is also exceptional wherever he is asked to operate. He's such an intelligent player and not only popped up to score our first goal, but also did a sterling job defensively.

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