Paul Lambert believes Scotland can still turn it around - and laughs off bookies' favourite tag

The former Scotland skipper, capped 40 times for his country, also laughed off reports making him the bookies' favourite to succeed Gordon Strachan, and instead maintained that it is too early to write off another campaign.

Scotland recorded a victory at Wembley in November 1999 after a Don Hutchison header, a win that wasn’t sufficient to offset a 2-0 first leg defeat in a Euro 2000 playoff. Lambert missed that game because of an injury sustained at Ibrox in the build-up to the tie but he is still insistent that with the right frame of mind Scotland can go to Wembley and get a result.

Read more: Derek Johnstone: Scotland's squad just isn't good enough - and that is not a reason to sack Gordon Strachan

While England’s resources and squad is one that Scotland can only look upon with some envy, they too have had an indifferent start to the campaign. Indeed, their draw with Slovenia was the only bright spot for Scotland as they trudged off the pitch on Wednesday night.

“Listen, anything can happen in one game,” said the former Celtic and Borussia Dortmund midfielder. “You can go to Wembley and get a result – and if you were to come away from there with all three points then all of a sudden it is right back on.

“There is grumbling about the fact that Gordon hasn’t picked this one or that but all I can say is that as soon as that squad is announced for the game next month against England that you will have everyone wanting to play.

Read more: Derek Johnstone: Scotland's squad just isn't good enough - and that is not a reason to sack Gordon Strachan

“People will be fighting for tickets, there will be massive interest in the game and it is one of those ones that everyone wants to be a part of. Everyone wants the chance to go there and be part of a Scotland side that creates a wee bit of history against their oldest rivals.

“It is doom and gloom just now but the whole atmosphere will be lifted ahead of that game at Wembley. You need people to stay together. You need to stay strong and I don’t think there will be any doubt that this is a game that takes care of itself. You won’t have to go in there and lift anyone for it – the whole country will have all eyes on it.

“I am like anyone else – my only thought is on seeing Scotland do well. I’ll be rooting as loudly as anyone for them to get the result that would set them back on a strong path.”

Lambert, who has been without a club since leaving Blackburn Rovers, has been widely touted as Strachan's replacement but he has maintained that he is rooting for the current manager to succeed.

“Gordon is in the job at the minute and God knows I hope he turns it around,” he said.

Read more: Derek Johnstone: Scotland's squad just isn't good enough - and that is not a reason to sack Gordon Strachan

“I saw the game against Slovakia and I was as disappointed as anyone. You really wanted to be taking four points from those two games and some of the disappointment and frustration comes not just at what happened but the way it happened.

“Gordon is the man who is at the helm just now and like every other Scotland fan I am willing him to succeed.

“I would love to see Scotland at a major international tournament again. It generates so much in the country – it lifts players, it lifts supporters, it gives you a whole new interest in the game.

“But it is way too premature for anyone to say that we are dead and buried. We are only three games in and there is still so much that can happen.”