The FC Porto midfielder was at risk of suspension, so the coach wanted to ensure he wouldn’t miss the decisive match against Scotland. He only came on in the last 20 minutes, when Denmark was losing 1-2, and avoided receiving the card that would have excluded him from the next match.

Scotland are currently a point behind Denmark in Group C, and four points ahead of Greece. So, irrespective of the result at Hampden on Tuesday, they are guaranteed at least a playoff spot. However, for Steve Clarke's team, nothing other than a win will be on the agenda on an occasion like this in front of what is sure to be a raucous home crowd.

Scotland have the comfort of knowing they have a guaranteed play-off in the Spring. But they lost at home to Ukraine at the semi-final when they were last involved at this stage before Qatar in 2022. Clarke was asked about the growing belief that this could finally be Scotland’s time after such a lengthy exile.

All the latest from Scotland's news conference with head coach Steve Clarke before Tuesday's World Cup qualification showdown with Denmark.

This feels like it’s going to be an epic night of drama and Scotland will have to embrace the chaos of the situation and go for it. Denmark are solid and tough to break down, but Scotland will find a way to reach their first World Cup in almost 30 years. Scotland 2-1 Denmark.