WORLD champs?

You'd certainly be questioning Germany's credentials if you looked at the Group D table after the latest results.

Joachim Low's side have taken only one point from their last two games in the Euro qualifying 'Group of Death', with many players, pundits and fans claiming they are there for the taking.

I think that kind of talk is a little bit premature. They have started poorly by their high standards, but I don't think it's realistic to think this is going to be a trend throughout the campaign.

The group is very competitive and the new qualifying format has breathed life into these middle-ranking teams.

You can never underestimate the galvanising effect that the hope of being at a finals can do to a nation, and we are seeing that in this group.

But, in saying that, I think Germany will hit their stride and will win the section.

They have suffered on a number of accounts. Philipp Lahm, who retired after the World Cup from international football, is irreplaceable, a few youngsters have been thrown in and there are a lot of very tired players in the squad.

I was in Brazil for the World Cup and it was exhausting given the conditions and the amount of travelling involved. It must have been 10 times worse for teams like Germany to go through that while having to play at such intensity.

However, I don't think it will continue. They are the group's best team, so realistically Scotland, Poland and Ireland are fighting it out for one automatic place and a play-off.

And, I've got to be honest and say the other two have a leg up on us.

Poland have already beaten Germany and you wonder if anyone else will do that in this group. I have to think it is unlikely.

The Republic of Ireland managed to take a point away to them and I don't see anyone else doing that, either. Martin O'Neill's side have also gone to Georgia and won, which is a fixture that could really hold some sway as things progress.

Scotland and Poland both have to go there and I'd not be surprised if at least one of them fails to win.

I read Mark McGhee saying the game against O'Neill's team next month at Parkhead is not a must-win.

I disagree completely. We all saw with the World Cup qualifying campaign how difficult it is when you are playing catch-up.

Scotland now have to, I think - given what has happened with the Germany's results over the last week - have the balance of the points against the Irish and the Poles.

Gordon Strachan's team played so well in Warsaw on Tuesday and it's a level of performance which needs to be replicated against Ireland.

And it's a task that they are very much up to.