Scotland took a significant step towards securing a World Cup play-off place as Lewis Ferguson's first international goal helped secure an unlikely comeback win over a dominant Greece at Hampden.
Read the match report here.
Have your say on the game here.
Image source, SNSScotland head coach Steve Clarke tells BBC Scotland: "On the performance side of it, you have to understand how hard we worked out of possession.
"When they scored the goal, the shackles came off a bit and from there we finished the game strong.
"The Greeks had a lot of the ball first half but they weren't carving us open.
"Football is a 90-minute game and you have to make sure you come out of it with a positive result. 3-1 maybe flatters us, but we did enough to win the game.
"It gives us three points and takes us one step closer to what we want to do.
"Lewis Ferguson and Ryan Christie both miss out. Aaron Hickey has picked up a small injury so I've got a bit of thinking to do.
"We can only concentrate on ourselves. We have to win here and see what the situation is after that."
Image source, SNSLewis Ferguson: "It means everything. Playing here in front of our home crowd, it's so important to pick up maximum points and we did that.
"This game means nothing if we don't win on Sunday. We'll rest, recover and go again."
Ryan Christie: "Massive win. We're not naive enough to know we weren't at our best tonight. The reaction to going 1-0 down was brilliant.
"It's been a while since I scored for my country so it's nice. Two massive games - that's one ticked off and now onto Sunday."
Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden Park
Image source, SNSScotland hope to "put things right from what happened in March" on Greece's return to Hampden on Thursday night, says Ryan Christie.
The Greeks routed their hosts in the second leg of their Nations League A play-off to earn promotion to the top tier of the competition and relegate Steve Clarke's side to the B division.
The Scots were soft and spooked by their much superior visitors, but midfielder Christie insists his team are "in a new place now" following a steady start to World Cup qualifying last month.
"It was obviously a frustrating night for us," the Bournemouth playmaker said of the 3-0 defeat earlier this year.
"We will definitely watch clips from that game in terms of trying to learn from it and where we can avoid the mistakes we made on the night and hurt them a little bit more.
"What we need to remember is how well the boys – not me – did out there in the first leg to go and get the 1-0 win [in the away leg].
"It's a team we obviously know we can beat, and we have the chance now to put things right from what happened in March.
"You certainly don't like getting beaten in front of your own fans and you would like to put that right, especially the way the scoreline finished.
"We are in a new place now and there is probably more on the line going into this one."
Image source, SNSSince the disappointing 3-0 defeat at Hampden against Greece, Steve Clarke's men have played four times, winning two, drawing one and losing to Iceland in June. In that time they scored seven and conceded just three, all of which came against the Icelanders.
Form that probably justifies a place in the World Cup in the summer, but certainly not anything out of this world.
The Greeks on the other hand, have won three of four scoring 13 goals in the process, with their only loss coming at home to a strong Denmark side last month.
Despite this unprecedented Greece barrage of goals and uptick in form, Greek football expert Stephen Kountourou spoke to The Scottish Football Podcast, and feels there are weaknesses in the side that Scotland can look to exploit on Thursday evening.
"We have the opposite problem of Scotland whereby we do have some really great midfielders coming through like Christos Zafeiris and Christos Mouzakitis who were the midfield duo against Scotland at Hampden Park," he added.
"But beyond that, there's no-one in the middle of the park that's at the peak of their powers right now because we've either got those two who are really young or we have Manolis Siopis, Dimitrios Kourbelis and Petros Mantalos, and even the captain Bakasetas who are all 30 plus.
"And so there's no-one in the middle that's at their absolute peak. And we obviously need to give the younger players time, but I think that there's still a bit of a lack of depth in that midfield area, which the Greek FA are trying to address.
"They have kind of gone to some Greek kind of diaspora players and said to them, 'look, would you like to come and play for Greece'?
"They said, 'we'll give you the opportunity'. And while they haven't come through yet, we know that there are a couple of players waiting in the wings who might address that.
"It depends on the level of those kind of players, though - and if they can take this starting spot in the national team."
Former England manager Sam Allardyce is interested in taking the Scotland job in the future, citing his Scottish roots. (Scotsman - subscription required), external
Belarus head coach Carlos Alos believes their World Cup qualifier with Scotland should have been taken place away from Hampden Park at a neutral venue because of his players' UK visa issues. (Herald - subscription required), external
Scotland have been handed a bad omen for the World Cup qualifier against Greece after controversial Norwegian referee Espen Eskas, who has already been in charge of dismal European nights for Celtic and Aberdeen this season, was appointed. (The Herald), external
Image source, SNSIvan Jovanovic is wary of Scotland's greater international experience
Greece have no plans to give any special attention to Scotland's Ballon d'Or nominee, Scott McTominay, in Thursday's World Cup qualifier at Hampden, visiting head coach Ivan Jovanovic has insisted.
The Napoli midfielder scored the winner from the penalty spot against Greece when the Scots visited Piraeus in March.
"Yes, he is a very good player," Jovanovic said. "However, Scotland have lots of very good players with a lot of experience at international and club level.
"Arguably, they probably have more experience at top international level than our players. They've been to tournaments recently.
"But, overall, the Scottish team has a lot of players that need a lot of attention anyway."
Greece won the second leg of that Nations League play-off 3-0 to win promotion and relegate the Scots, but it is their hosts who are one point ahead in European Group C going into what will be the half-way stage of qualification after the visitors lost at home to Denmark last time out.
"It is an important game, especially after the last match, but for any team that has set itself targets, every match that comes up is important," Jovanovic added.
"Especially when we're playing a good team such as Scotland.
"We want to do better, especially compared to the previous match, and we want to keep getting better to provide us with a better continuation.
"It's a very short window of three months to play six games to qualify for the World Cup, so every game is important, and there's no going back on whichever result there is."
Image source, SNSKonstantinos Karetsas (right) trained at Hampden Park on Wednesday
Konstantinos Karetsas will be assessed before kick-off as the Greece teenager battles to be fit to face Scotland in World Cup qualifying on Thursday.
The 17-year-old Genk winger made a big impression when he came off the bench to make his international debut in the 1-0 Nations League defeat by the Scots in Piraeus in March.
He started for the first time in the return game at Hampden Park three days later, scoring his first international goal and set up another in the 3-0 win that took the visitors into League A while relegating Steve Clarke's side to League B.
But, before the teenager trained with his team-mates at Hampden on Wednesday night, head coach Ivan Jovanovic explained: "He's been ill for a few days. Yesterday, he joined up with the team.
"Today, he will train and his situation will be evaluated at the training session and overnight, heading into tomorrow's game and with the hope that he's able to help fully going into the Denmark game as well."
Asked if he would gamble on Karetsas' fitness, Jovanavic added: "The question isn't so much if it's 50/50. We want to rely more on players that are 100% ready for their matches."
Two experienced defenders - Olympiacos' Panagiotis Retsos and Panathinaikos' Giorgos Kyriakopoulos - and PAOK midfielder Dimitrios Pelkas have dropped out the squad that faced Denmark last time out.
PAOK defender Giannis Michailidis has been drafted in, while there was a first call-up for 23-year-old striker Pantelidis Pavlos, who helped Kifisias win the Greek second tier last season.
Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden Park
Image source, SNSAmong other things on Thursday night, Steve Clarke will move level with Craig Brown as the man to manage in the most Scotland games.
The late Brown led Scotland 71 times and guided them to their most recent World Cup appearance in 1998.
For that alone, he's held in the highest regard by many. For Clarke, their connection runs much further back.
On the eve of equalling Brown's record, Clarke cited that while he's had "a half-decent career in management" he also had "a half-decent playing career".
Though he starred for Chelsea for over a decade after joining from St Mirren in 1987, Clarke only amassed six international caps.
The national team manager for five of the years Clarke spent in London? Brown.
"He was part of the set-up when I was away as an under-19 in Mexico," Clarke said of the former manager. "We knew each other a long time.
"I did forgive him for not picking me as much as national team manager."
Clarke has held that responsibility for six-and-a-half years now, and the one achievement he has yet to tick off is a World Cup appearance.
If Brown, who passed away two years ago, was alive today, Clarke is sure he'd "probably point out" the fact he was the last manager to lead Scotland on the biggest of stages.
Should Scotland pick up the two wins the head coach is eyeing up from this camp, then he will be on the brink of matching Brown once more.
Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden Park
Image source, SNSHead coach Steve Clarke has been addressing the media on the eve of Scotland's World Cup qualifier at home to Greece.
Here are the key points he made:
Clarke will equal Craig Brown's record as the man to lead Scotland in the most matches (71) but the current head coach "hasn't thought about it" because "I don't think I've finished yet".
Clarke thanked the late Brown for the support he provided and said if Brown were still alive, he would "probably point out" the fact he was the manager who last took Scotland to a World Cup.
The Scots have given themselves "a great platform" to reach next summer's tournament, though, but now they must "cement it with two home wins" against Greece and Belarus.
The Greeks comfortably beat Scotland in March at Hampden and Clarke said it's simple to rectify that: "Play better".
Though acknowledging the importance of the Greece encounter, Clarke said "it wouldn't be a disaster" if Scotland didn't win and even if they did, their opponents wouldn't be out of contention in the group.
Max Johnston, who was a late introduction into camp, "pads the squad out" and isn't cover or replacement as the squad are "fit and ready".
The 62-year-old head coach admitted he's "heard the name but couldn't name any songs" of Katy Perry, the global popstar who was staying at the same hotel as the Scotland squad.
Image source, PA MediaMax Johnston joined Derby from Sturm Graz in August
Derby County full-back Max Johnston has been called into the Scotland squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Greece and Belarus.
The 21-year-old has been added to Steve Clarke's squad for the games at Hampden Park on Thursday and Sunday.
Johnston has four caps, having made his senior debut in a Uefa Nations League win over Greece in March this year.
The former Motherwell defender joined Derby from Austrian Bundesliga side Sturm Graz for an undisclosed fee in August.
Scotland are currently second in their World Cup qualifying group after two games, behind the leaders Denmark on goal difference, with the top side qualifying automatically and the runners-up facing a play-off.
Scotland midfielder John McGinn feels rejuvenated after having rest and a reset over the summer. (Record), external
Assistant coach Steven Naismith backs veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon, 43, to make it to the World Cup with Scotland. (Herald - subscription required), external
Scotland Under-21 goalkeeper Liam McFarlane was given the chance to train with the senior national squad this week. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external
Scottish FA president Mike Mulraney is Fifa's new finance committee chairperson. (Herald - subscription required), external
Image source, SNSCaptain Andy Robertson says Scotland have put themselves in a prime position to reach next summer's World Cup finals but "can't afford to have another off day" against Greece on Thursday.
Steve Clarke's side sit level on points with Denmark and one ahead of Greece after drawing away to Denmark and winning in Belarus.
"It's a good start," Robertson said in an interview with the Scottish FA. "It is a bit of a sprint this time. It's not a long campaign, it's only six games.
"It'll be over next month and you need to get yourself in position. I think we've done that well in September. Now we've got two home games and we have to try and make home advantage count.
"We have to be at our best to do that. At times, we've not done that, but I thought we got back to our best in September."
However, the Greeks prevailed 3-0 when they last visited Hampden, securing a 3-1 aggregate victory in the Nations League play-off in March.
"The last time we faced Greece here was obviously a huge disappointment and obviously we've got to try and learn from that game and learn from the mistakes," Liverpool left-back Robertson said.
"Obviously, in a two-legged play-off, coming back with a 1-0 victory away was as best as we could hope for really.
"The first-half performance, I thought we were excellent. The second half was a bit backs-to-the-wall and probably they deserved more out of the game, so we knew we then had to be better in the second game and unfortunately we weren't.
"I think there were different factors to that, but as long as we can put some of them right on Thursday then it will give us a much better chance. I believe in this squad massively, I believe in this team.
"Unfortunately, sometimes you do have off-days and that was definitely one of them."
Image source, SNSLawrence Shankland's goal against Falkirk last month created a new record
Lawrence Shankland has not given up on his World Cup dream despite missing out on the current squad poised to face Greece and Belarus in European qualifying Group C.
Steve Clarke decided to stick with the same strikers who helped his side draw in Denmark and win away to Belarus in last month's opening games of the campaign.
As the Scotland squad prepare to host Greece on Thursday, Hearts striker Shankland was picking up his Scottish Premiership player of the month award.
It was reward for scoring three goals in two games during September to become the league's top marksman this season - and the leading scorer over the 12 years since the SPFL was established - while helping his side to the top of the table.
Asked if he was especially disappointed not to be in Clarke's current squad given those facts, Shankland told Sky Sports: "You always want to be involved if you can.
"Obviously there's a World Cup not too far round the corner as well, so hopefully the boys can keep getting the results.
"I'll keep doing what I do at club level and hopefully if the opportunity arises again then you just stay ready for it.
"Everybody who is Scottish around the world would want to be at a World Cup.
"I have had the experience of being at the Euros and stuff in the last campaign and you just stay ready and keep doing what you do for your club."
Image source, SNSKenny McLean is sure somebody from the Scotland squad will emerge as "a hero" this week as they look to capitalise on the "good spot" in their World Cup qualifying group when facing Greece and Belarus at Hampden.
The Norwich midfielder grabbed a last-gasp winner against Norway in June 2023, a key result on the way to Euro 2024, and also scored in the penalty shootout wins over Israel and Serbia in qualifying four years earlier.
"I don't care who puts ourselves in a position to make us successful - it's about doing that and being there," the 33-year-old said.
"I've been fortunate to have a couple of big moments in a Scotland jersey. Everybody wants those moments, it is the pinnacle.
"But, whoever it is, there'll be somebody who is a hero this week, I'm sure."
Scotland began the campaign with a 0-0 draw with Denmark in Copenhagen before a 2-0 win over Belarus in Hungary and McLean admits getting to the finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico would be a career high.
"I think it tops most things, really," he said. "When everybody speaks about career achievement and stuff, international football, that's where everybody wants to be. The World Cup is the pinnacle.
"We've got an opportunity right now and it's about taking that opportunity because we know we've got the quality here to do that.
"Where we are at right now, we've got to be in a good spot, pretty optimistic about our chances.
"We know that home games are where you ought to pick up points and we'll try to maximise that this week."
