THEY might be about to tackle the biggest game of their lives, but Scotland boss Steve Clarke is confident his players will not be overawed when they line up against England at Wembley tomorrow evening.

With Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney having been passed fit after sitting out Scotland’s opening-game defeat to the Czech Republic, and the likes of Liverpool’s Andy Robertson and Manchester United’s Scott McTominay also primed to start, the Scots will not be devoid of proven top-class talent as they look to keep their Euro 2020 hopes alive.

However, Monday’s starting side at Hampden also featured QPR striker Lyndon Dykes, Norwich City centre-half Grant Hanley, Derby goalkeeper David Marshall and KV Oostende loanee Jack Hendry, players who do not normally rub shoulders with England’s Champions League regulars.

The Scots sit 40 places below England in FIFA’s current world rankings, but with national pride on the line as well as the chance to qualify for the last 16 of the Euros, Clarke is confident there will be no inferiority complex in the Scottish ranks as they look to secure what would be a first win over the ‘Auld enemy’ since 1999.

“The players have to believe in themselves,” said the Scotland boss, who was assistant to both Ruud Gullit and Sir Bobby Robson during his time with Newcastle United. “That’s obviously the first criteria.

“They’re all playing at a really good level. A lot of them are team-mates of some of the lads in the England team, so they’re used to seeing each other and playing in big games. I certainly don’t think that they won’t have that self-belief to go there and get a good result.”

Tierney’s return is a major boost, with the Arsenal defender having recovered from the calf injury that meant he was not even able to leave Scotland’s Rockliffe Park base in order to watch his side take on the Czech Republic in Glasgow on Monday.

The 24-year-old is the heartbeat of the Scotland team, and was consistently his side’s best player as they came through qualifying to reach their first major finals for 23 years.

He will play as the left of the Scots’ three centre-halves, with Robertson remaining in the left wing-back role he filled to such positive effect on Monday.

“He’s (Tierney) someone we rely on a lot, and need,” said McTominay. “He’s a big personality, and a great character within the group. The boys respect him a lot – you can see that in training and with the way he’s been playing with Arsenal this year.”

After taking on England tomorrow evening, Scotland will round off their group campaign by hosting Croatia at Hampden on Tuesday night.

It is not inconceivable that they could qualify as one of the four best third-placed teams if they finish with three points, but a defeat this evening would nevertheless leave their hopes of reaching the last 16 hanging by a thread.

As a result, while a victory over England would go down as one of Scotland’s best-ever achievements, this is arguably a ‘must-not-lose’ game from their perspective rather than a ‘must-win’ one.

“We’ll be looking to start as quickly as England do,” said Clarke. “We’ll go out there and try to get on the front foot as early as possible, and try to get a hold of the ball."