ENGLAND did not realise it at the time, but they have played a huge part in turning around the fortunes of Scotland.

Ironically, their contribution came in the form of a last-gasp win over Gordon Strachan's side at Wembley in August last year.

The cold pain felt by Scott Brown and Co at losing 3-2 on a night when they had twice been in the lead was soon replaced by the warm realisation that Scotland had given the English a real game - not to mention a fright.

Allied to the positive signs of recovery gleaned from wins in places like Croatia, Norway, Poland and Macedonia, it reinforced what Strachan had been saying to this group of players for months.

Scotland can be a nation again - and one which others will fear.

Friday's 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland was just another reminder of how far the corner has been turned under the man who replaced Craig Levein 22 months ago.

Scotland was heading down the rankings and into a cul- de-sac, where they would be marooned as other countries headed for more major finals.

Now it is the Tartan Army who are ready to look out their passports for France 2016, though they all realise there are still many milestones to safely pass before that destination can be reached.

Along the way, the players are joining the fans in loving the ride.

But it is always important to consider where you have come from, not just where you want to go.

Equally, it is vital you reflect on how you have got to where you currently are, and defender Russell Martin is in no doubt the performance delivered when they stopped off at Wembley was an important point in their journey.

The Brighton-born Norwich captain with the refined English accent explained: "I still look back on it with disappointment that we didn't get a result from that match.

"But we went there with everyone expecting us to get hammered, and it didn't happen.

"We more than matched England for most of the game.

"We probably should have got a result. We didn't, and that still hurts me and the rest of the boys.

"I am sure we all want to put that right tomorrow.

"The performance at Wembley certainly gave us a lot of belief to know we can play against the best.

"From there on in, really, we've been fantastic as a group.

"We have grown together and we will be a match for them this time."

It's just the kind of controlled, committed approach Strachan wants to see from his players ahead of the 112th renewal of the world's longest-standing grudge match.

There are no Euro qualification points on the line. But there are bragging rights up for grabs.

And, to a man who plies his trade on the other side of Hadrian's Wall, that is signifcant.

The build-up to this reunion with the Auld Enemy has been unique in that Friday's Europa 2016 tie against the Republic of Ireland relegated the England game to a few footnotes to the main story.

With the win over Martin O'Neill's men safely secured, that's all changed.

Martin said: "Everyone's focus was on the Irish game.

"There has not been too much ribbing from my English mates in the run up to this match.

"But I have no doubts I will be getting a few more texts and messages before Tuesday night.

"I am really, really looking forward to the match.

"I don't know what the gaffer is going to do with regard to the team, but everyone wants to play again, that's for sure.

"After Friday's result, we are all looking forward to it.

"We don't want to end 2014 on a low point. We want to end it on a high, definitely.

"We have momentum, real belief and confidence. So to go out of the year on a defeat would be really disappointing.

"It would not be the end of the world, but it would be disappointing. So we aim to come back to Celtic Park and win again."

Strachan is considering handing opportunities to several of the players - including Craig Gordon - who have been diligently turning up for games but not getting any further than the bench.

Repaying their contribution to the squad will be one reason for this. Seeing what they can do in such a big game will be another.

CERTAINLY, after winning against the Irish, there is more incentive than ever to become part of Strachan's plans as a first major finals for a generation is on the horizon.

Asked how the group now looks, Martin replied with a huge smile: "Well, a lot better after Friday's win, that's for sure.

"It's going to go to the wire. It's that kind of group.

"We just need to keep ­getting results and concentrate on ourselves.

"Then, hopefully, we will be where we want to be come the end of the games."

The tightness of the group is a reflection of how close the results are when the main protagonists meet.

Scotland have two 1-0 victories to their name, against Georgia and now the Irish, while they went down 2-1 in Germany and shared a 2-2 draw with Poland.

All of which puts even more pressure on the defence not to make any collective or individual errors as there is never the comfort of a healthy lead to cushion them, something of which Russell is only too aware every time he pulls on a Scotland shirt.

"Every game between the four of us, Ireland, Germany and Poland and ourselves, has ended with a one-goal deficit either way," he acknowledged.

"We knew it was going to be tight, and we spoke about that before the group began.

"It's vitally important not to slip up.

"Mistakes at this level cost you, so the least number you make, the better."

ANOTHER clean sheet proves that Martin and Co are getting this right.

A repeat tomorrow would allow them to bring the curtain down on the international year with a sense of huge achievement.

"It's a great feeling going into the England game with the points from the match against the Republic of Ireland," said Martin.

"It wasn't a must-win game for us. But it was important we got a result, especially at home.

"The game against England is still going to be intense. But the win over Ireland means we can go into it a bit more relaxed than we would have been if we had not got the result.

"We can enjoy it and try to play the way we want to play.

"I'm sure the atmosphere will be as good as it was on Firday.

"We go into it full of confidence and with a bit of momentum.

"Hopefully, we can end the year on a high."