Kenny Miller would love nothing more than to help Scotland qualify for a major competition before he hangs up his boots.

But the Rangers striker believes it is now tougher for our country to reach the major tournaments than ever before because of the likelihood of having to qualify for the World Cup Finals or European Championships via a play-off.

Under Walter Smith and Alex McLeish, Scotland came agonisingly close to making it to the last European Championships and now it is up to Craig Levein to try and go one better as he bids to lead the nation to Euro 2012.

Miller, having been a key man for the national side for many years, is realistic enough to know this is most likely is last opportunity to play on the biggest stage for his country.

The current crop of players are continually reminded of the good old days when taking part in major competitions was a regular occurrence and the Ibrox hitman can recall watching his country in such events on television as a kid.

But as he assessed Scotland’s chances of progressing on this occasion, which would be the first time in 14 years by the time the finals come around, the striker believes changes to the qualifying process now make it more difficult than ever to qualify.

“It is a lot harder to qualify now than it was 10 or 12 years ago with the play-off system that is now in place,” said Miller. “Look at the teams we have found ourselves up against in the play-off matches when we have managed to finish in second place.

“And every group we’re in always has at least one of the leading nations. On this occasion we have Spain, who are the current world champions. In previous qualifying groups we have faced the likes of Holland and Italy.

“Those nations are always going to be favourites to qualify but when we have done well enough to reach the play-off stage we have been desperately unlucky in terms of the quality of opposition we have been drawn against.

“Holland beat us in a play-off over two legs and if you go even further back the same thing happened when we faced England. Then there was the Italy game at Hampden Park. It was a group game as opposed to a play-off match, but it was more or less the same thing – we had to defeat them to qualify and unfortunately we didn’t quite manage to do that.”

He added: “So there have been occasions when we have been frighteningly close to qualifying in recent times.

“It’s not as though the likes of the Faroe Islands or San Marino are depriving us the opportunity to qualify for a major competition – it is some of the best sides in the world.

“It is difficult enough to try and finish second in a group but even when we have managed that we haven’t really enjoyed any luck in the play-off draw. So hopefully we can enjoy the breaks during this qualifying campaign.

“Like the rest of the players in the squad, I’m desperate to qualify. For a few of us, this might be our last chance. No-one wants to qualify more than the players – we are the ones who will get to play in the finals after all.”

Miller believes tonight’s clash with Liechtenstein was marked down from the off as a fixture Scotland must win, but admits dropping two points in their opening qualification match with Lithuania has increased the demand for a victory at Hampden.

Miller said: “It was a disappointing result over in Lithuania because I thought we put so much into the game and played well. The only thing missing from our performance was a goal.

“We were hoping to win our opening game but unfortunately we didn’t manage to do that last Friday. But this was always a game we had to win regardless of the outcome of the match in Lithuania.

“We’ve got to be strong at home and pick up most of our points there for starters so that’s exactly what we are aiming to do tonight.

“Hopefully we can win the game, although it will be difficult, but four points out of six isn’t the worst start. It would set us up nicely to go over to the Czech Republic next month.”

Minnows out to make point

Liechtenstein coach Hans Peter Zaugg reckons a draw against Scotland will be as good as a win.

Scotland are odds-on favourites for the contest against the Group I minnows, who were beaten 4-0 by world champions Spain last Friday.

But Zaugg hopes to return to the landlocked principality between Switzerland and Austria with a draw. He said: “A success is a point. That would be like a victory for us. It’s very difficult for us, because there’s a big difference between the Scottish team and my team.

“I have tomorrow evening three, maybe four, amateur players in the team.”