Friday 4 September 2015 13:54, UK
Charlie Nicholas says defeat to Georgia on Friday would almost certainly end Scotland's hopes of reaching next summer's European Championships.
Gordon Strachan's side, who currently occupy third place in qualifying group D, travel to Tbilisi needing a positive result to stay in touch with pace-setters Poland and Germany, as well as securing a play-off spot.
With world champions Germany heading to Hampden Park on Monday, Nicholas believes avoiding defeat to Georgia is imperative if Scotland are to make it to their first major tournament since 1998.
"They are two absolutely gigantic games," he told Sky Sports. "I don't see us breaking into the top two (Poland and Germany) but I do see us being in a real position to control it and secure a play-off place.
"Scotland have to take something from their trip to Tbilisi. They got beat 2-0 the last time they played there and Georgia are actually improving under their new coach.
"I would be chuffed to bits with a draw in Tbilisi, I really would be, but if we get a win, it will put us through the roof. It doesn't guarantee us a position in the top two, but it gives us a real opportunity and it becomes exciting.
"If we could actually pick up four points from the next two games I think we have a genuine chance of automatic qualification, otherwise it's going to be difficult because the Irish have two easy games coming up in the next four days and very quickly we could find ourselves suffocated out of fourth spot."
Defeat on Friday would leave Scotland needing to beat Germany to maintain a realistic chance of qualifying for next summer's tournament in France.
And the former Scotland and Celtic striker fears it could be another glorious failure for Strachan's new-look Tartan Army, if they taste defeat to Georgia.
"The one thing we're not good at is keeping the ball when we're under pressure and that's why in Tbilisi we must not lose," Nicholas added.
"We can't be in a position where on Monday night we have to go out and beat Germany because that's not what we are good at.
"All the good stuff that Strachan and the players are talking about, and have done, I go along with that, it's much better and far more exciting but on Friday night we're talking the talk but can we walk the walk?
"The players have to prove to everyone that they do belong at the levels that they are trying to get to. I'm sick to death of glorious failures.
"I really believe we should walk away with a draw from this game. I really think we can get an away goal. We're getting better under Strachan but I do fear if we lose this we won't make the play-offs."
Watch Georgia v Scotland live on Friday, 4:30pm, Sky Sports 1 HD and Scotland v Germany live on Monday, 7pm, Sky Sports 1 HD.
