GERMANY scored more goals than any other country - 18, including seven against hosts Brazil - on their way to World Cup glory just two months ago.

They carry a lethal attacking threat from every department of their side, with the exception of keeper and captain, Manuel Neuer.

You get the impression even he would be willing to have a shot from range, so comfortable does he look when he comes well outside his area to act as an auxiliary sweeper.

Yet, for all of this, there is not the slightest hint of apprehension, never mind fear, in the voice of Grant Hanley, one of the men hoping to be invited to spike the Germans' guns in Dortmund on Sunday.

The Blackburn central defender has been a mainstay from the start of the revolution sparked by the arrival of Gordon Strachan as manager 20 months ago.

In the dozen games played since then, there have been signs of revival, with confidence-boosting victories against Croatia and Poland.

This has combined to give the squad belief this can be their time, that qualification for a major finals can once again be achieved.

But Hanley acknowledges they must get off to the best possible start, unlike in the disastrous World Cup campaign under Craig Levein which saw them take just one point from their opening two home games.

That forced them to play catch up from the off, something which ultimately proved beyond them and cost Levein his job.

Having to play the world champions in the opening match on their own patch this time around is not ideal.

But the 22-year-old with the Desperate Dan build and jawline does not flinch at the prospect, and displays the kind of gritty determination which can serve Scotland well.

Hanley said: "We've all been looking forward for so long to starting a fresh campaign.

"Obviously, it's a test to play Germany in our first game, but we hope to get off to a good start."

The almost-nonchalant manner in which Hanley describes Sunday's match-up as 'obviously a test', betrays the belief that now underpins this group of players.

Playing the World Cup holders should carry a health warning. But Hanley has a simple antidote to any concerns.

"A lot of the reason you play football is because you want to test yourself against the best, and they are," explained the man with 13 caps.

"To play the world champions in Germany so soon after they lifted the trophy, it doesn't get much better than that."

Knowing Scotland would be first to face Germany in a competitive game after they took the crown made viewing the finals in Brazil a lot more than a summer pastime for Hanley.

"I always fancied them to win it, because they looked so strong," he said.

"Knowing they were in our Euro 2016 group didn't make me nervous, but I was sitting there thinking, 'We've got to play against them soon'.

"Subconsciously, you were definitely watching them in a different way because of this game.

"But it was good to see them winning the World Cup and playing so well to do it.

"They have lost a few players to retirement since then, including Miroslav Klose and Philipp Lahm.

"I don't know if that's a good thing for us or a bad thing because I'm sure there are other players waiting to come in.

"They are world champions for a reason, and have great strength in depth.

"Whoever they select, we have got to be confident in what we can do, and not worry too much about them."

Hanley's reasoning is simple. While Germany were winning the World Cup, Scotland were, in their own way, also making huge strides forward.

"It's important we are respectful to other teams, the calibre of players they have and what they've achieved," he said.

"But we have to try and focus on ourselves, and how far we have come."

More importantly, where Scotland can now go - hopefully, to France in the summer of 2016.

Hanley has watched the near-misses and not-so-near misses in the qualification campaigns since 1998, and recognises the current standing of the side and the new format of the Euros, with 24 countries qualifying, makes this the best opportunity for many years.

He said: "The results we have picked up in the last year or so means the atmosphere around the squad is now good. Hopefully, we can convert this to a good start in the qualifying campaign and build from there.

"The organisation of our team is really good, and, especially at international level, that is so important.

"And, with the quality we have, there are always going to be spells in games when we will create chances.

"As a group, we want to test ourselves and see where we actually now stand, and this game certainly offers us that chance.

"In the last campaign, we didn't get off to the best of starts and put ourselves under pressure.

"So, we know the importance of avoiding that this time.

"There are a lot of games in this group, so we need to be ready for that and get the performance level right from the beginning.

"We need to continue working to improve."

That's Hanley's personal agenda, as well as that of the squad.

He appreciates the opportunity given to him by Strachan when he was still a relatively-unknown, raw defender.

Now, he could be lining up against the best in the world - and relishes the prospect.

However, he admits the need to always prove himself will never leave him.

"Every time I meet up with the squad, with the standard of players, I feel I have to impress in training to warrant a start," he said.

"That's the mindset among all the lads. It's such a competitive squad with real quality.

"You know you have to be playing well for your club, and have a good week's training to have a chance of making the team. That can only be a good thing.

"I've played in some big games against top teams, and have always really enjoyed them.

"It's my chance to put my marker down and test myself. You always want to show you are improving.

"If I do get the chance to play on Sunday, that will be the attitude I take into the game."