Billy Stark’s Scotland Under-21 side will clinch a place in Friday’s play-off draw if they beat Austria at Pittodrie this afternoon.

Scotland, Austria and Belarus are all locked on 14 points, but a win for the young Scots would ensure they top Group 10 regardless of results elsewhere.

If they draw and Belarus, who are currently level with Scotland and Austria on points, win then Belarus will top the group.

If Scotland and Austria draw and Belarus lose, however, then Austria win the group on head-to-head results with Scotland.

If Scotland lose to Austria, who beat them 1-0 on home turf earlier in the campaign, and Belarus win then Belarus will win the group on head-to-head with Austria.

If Scotland lose and Belrus draw then Austria win the group from Belarus.

Meanwhile, Stark has urged fans to come out in force and throw their backing behind his Under-21s as they bid to secure a play-off spot for the European Championship.

However, with Belarus hosting Azerbaijan at the same time as Stark’s men face the Austrians at Pittodrie, the crunch clash has been given a far from ideal 4pm kick-off time.

Stark said: “We understand it’s a difficult time of day for people and hope they understand it’s not anything to do with us, it’s a Uefa directive.

“We are happy to be in Aberdeen, we are delighted to play at Pittodrie and we just hope that anybody who can get along to support us will do that.

“Scotland support at every level is always something that can be an extra factor for us so we hope that will be the case for this game.”

Striker Chris Maguire, who plays his football in Aberdeen, echoed Stark’s plea by urging the locals to make the effort.

He said: “Belarus are playing at home as well so it’s five o’clock central European time.

“We would have liked it to be a bit later and to get the fans out in numbers but hopefully they can come along.

“They must know it’s a crucial game for us and if we can get their backing, I’m sure we can do well.”

Maguire converted from the penalty spot to earn a draw in Belarus on Friday to ensure Scotland’s fate is still in their own hands and he believes they can finish the job tonight. He said: “The draw on Friday put us in good shape and we know exactly what we need to do now.

“It’s win-or-bust to be honest. We can’t rely on other results.

“We know if we win the game, we win the group and that’s us into the play-offs.

“This game will be up there in terms of big games as it’s a chance to get to a major championship and the chance to be involved in that would be brilliant.

“All the boys have got to focus and stick together, as we have done throughout the campaign, and hopefully we can get a good result. We’re at home and we’ve nothing to lose.”