SCOTLAND’S defeat to England at Wembley last Friday left Gordon Strachan’s side in fifth place in their qualifying group, behind the likes of Slovenia and Lithuania.

The start to the Russia 2018 campaign, in which Scotland have picked up four points from four games, has resulted in calls for the manager’s resignation and much soul-searching among Tartan Army followers.

The current situation looks bleak, but exactly nine years ago to the day a restless anticipation was buzzing around the nation as Scotland prepared to face Italy in the climax of a rollercoaster Euro 2008 campaign.

Read more: Scotland assistant Mark McGhee would be 'amazed' if Gordon Strachan walks away

At the outset, there didn’t appear an awful lot to be cheerful about as Walter Smith’s side were drawn against 2006 World Cup finalists France and Italy, as well as quarter-finalists Ukraine.

But the Tartan Army got off to a dream start, beating the Faroe Islands and Lithuania before stunning the French at Hampden with a famous 1-0 win.

When Alex McLeish took the reins in early 2007 he inherited a side with a belief they could cause more upsets, and so it proved. James McFadden’s wonder strike at the Parc des Princes in September 2007 won’t be forgotten quickly and has become one of the most iconic goals of recent years in Scottish football.

A 3-1 win over Ukraine followed, putting Scotland in a superb position, but a capitulation away to Georgia meant their fate rested on a final day result. Sound familiar?

Scotland went into the game at Hampden knowing that a win over the 'Azzurri' would guarantee qualification to a major finals for the first time in 10 years. 

The world champions silenced the stadium by taking the lead after only two minutes thanks to Luca Toni’s close-range effort, but the hosts rallied and saw Davie Weir’s header cleared off the line by Andrea Pirlo during the first half.

An equaliser arrived on the 65th minute, when Barry Ferguson squeezed the ball home from close range, triggering an eruption from the Hampden stands.

But Italy broke Scottish hearts in stoppage time, when Christian Panucci rose to head home a late winner from a controversially awarded free-kick for the visitors.

McLeish was livid with Spanish referee Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez after the game, calling it an “unbelievable decision” to penalise Alan Hutton when the Scotland right-back appeared to be fouled himself.

He lamented at the time: “Alan Hutton was in control of the ball and their guy battered him. How can that be a free-kick to Italy?"

Scotland finished third in their qualifying group, two points off second place, with eight wins from 12 games including a spectacular double triumph over the French.

George Burley, Craig Levein and Strachan have all since attempted to bring Scotland out of their international exile, but none have given the Tartan Army as much to cheer about since. The wait goes on.