The Tartan Army are already in good voice and coach Craig Brown believes his team have got a realistic chance of creating an upset.

"They have a great chance to display their character in this game, as well as their technical ability ... take it from me, we're not a million miles away from Brazil."

Leighton: old man of France 98

Brown's defiant comments came after the Brazilian coach, Mario Zagallo claimed he knew nothing about the Scots. Brown added: "I'm taking his remarks with a pinch of salt. It is just a smokescreen."

By Wednesday afternoon all the talking will be done on the pitch.

Brazil have two injury doubts ahead of the game. Aldair, who was a late inclusion in the squad, and Andre Cruz both have strains.

If the pair drop out of contention, Goncalves will partner Junior Baiano in what will be a makeshift defence.

No matter what the result, Scotland will still be creating history. Veteran goalkeeper Jim Leighton - the oldest of the 704 players at France 98 - will become the first Scotland player to be in four World Cup finals.

This comes a month before his 40th birthday and 16 years since making his international debut.

Brazil try out a defensive wall during training

The only other survivor from the Scotland squad to play in Italia 90 is Rangers' striker Gordon Durie.

His message to his team-mates ahead of Wednesday's clash is clear - "Go for the throat".

Against a team like Brazil, Durie feels attack is the key. "If we sit and try to defend, then they have players who can destroy you."

Durie hopes to be picked ahead of Celtic's Darren Jackson to form a partnership with Scotland's main hitman Kevin Gallacher. He hit a rich vein of form to ensure Blackburn's UEFA Cup spot for next season and has already scored six times in Scotland's World Cup campaign.

Gallacher is convinced he can continue this form onto the world stage, particularly as the midfield is strong.

With John Collins earning his crust with Monaco and Paul Lambert completing his spell with Borussia Dortmund, the pair are part of a high class midfield which could be vital to the Scotsmen's success.

"We can attack from midfield and we are very cultured in that area at the minute, it's just a matter of getting the ball into the box and making it count," Gallacher said.

It's not all doom and gloom if Scotland succumb to the strength of Ronaldo and company. They have a realistic chance of taking the coveted second-round spot.

In Italia 90 defeat in Scotland's first match was followed by an impressive display against Sweden and according to former international Alex McLeish, the Scots showed the world what they were capable of. "If proof were ever needed that adversity brings out the best in Scotland teams, that was it. It was Scottish football at its best."

The best may be yet to come.