Steve Clarke has challenged his Scotland side to build on their recent momentum when they meet Greece for the right to remain in the top tier of the Nations League.
Andy Robertson’s stoppage-time header secured a win over Poland which saw the team finish third and avoid automatic relegation to League B.
Scotland have now been drawn with the Greeks in a two-legged play-off in March after they finished runners-up in Group B2 behind England.
Clarke expects a tough task against a team who have only lost to England, France, Germany and the Netherlands in the last two years, but is quietly confident after the Scots claimed seven points from a possible nine in their last three competitive games.
‘Greece have shown in the Nations League campaign that they are a quality team,’ he said.
‘These will be really competitive games in March but ones we will look forward to ahead of our World Cup qualifying.
Steve Clarke celebrates with skipper Andy Robertson after Scotland clinched a play-off spot
Robertson’s late winner against Poland ensured the Scots came third in their group
Robertson and Co now face a play-off double-header against Greece in March
‘We had a strong ending to our Nations League campaign, with positive results against teams established at the top level.
‘The challenge now will be to continue the momentum we built in the autumn in this play-off tie and our World Cup qualification campaign next year.’
As the seeded side, Scotland play away first on March 20 before a return in Glasgow three days later.
Managed by Ivan Jovanovic, the Greeks are currently 42nd in the FIFA rankings, nine places above Scotland.
They took 15 points from the six matches in their Nations League group, which included a 2-1 win at Wembley.
The Scots have only faced them twice before, and that was during qualifying for Euro 96, with Ally McCoist scoring the only goal at Hampden to secure a place in the finals.
Meanwhile, Nations League holders Spain will meet the Netherlands in the quarter finals, while France take on Croatia, Italy play Germany and Portugal face Denmark.
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