Scots' strike force must not freeze

Scotland's last win at home was in October 2007, in a Euro 2008 qualifier over Ukraine, which was also the last time that a Scottish striker scored a goal in a competitive game. If those sorry facts tell a tale of decline then the Group Nine table in World Cup qualifying fills it out. Played four, won one (away), two goals scored (by a defender and midfielder), five conceded, four points, third in the section behind the Netherlands and Iceland.

That all adds up to one aim this week, and one aim only: beat Iceland at Hampden or forget about South Africa. "It was always a game that we looked at on the calendar and said we want to get three points from," said Scotland's assistant manager, Terry Butcher, yesterday. "It doesn't matter how we get them, as long as we get them. As long as we score one more goal than Iceland we will be happy and we are not particularly bothered how that comes about. We don't have to play fantastic football – we just have to make sure we get those three points."

At the same time, the former England defender indicated that the plan for the match will be attack, attack, attack. "We played 4-3-3 in Iceland away and at home we have to be even more positive," he said. So 4-2-4 could be on the cards? "We're not looking to be defensive," he replied, although it would be extraordinary if George Burley really did thrown caution to the wind and field every forward still standing. More likely, it seems, is another start for the Cardiff forward, Ross McCormack, who started at wide right in Saturday's 3-0 defeat to the Netherlands in Amsterdam, possibly up front. Steven Fletcher of Hibs could also start, and maybe even Kenny Miller as well, who ploughed a lone and barren furrow in the Dutch capital. If all three got the nod, it could mean Burley dropping one of his three central midfielders, possibly Barry Ferguson, but no final decisions will be made until this evening. Even the goalkeeper's job could change hands again, from Allan McGregor back to Craig Gordon. "We will have a look at the boys in training today and tomorrow," Butcher said. "You look at the reaction of the players after the match on Saturday, you look at how the team could line up to beat Iceland and then you pick the team accordingly. No position has been confirmed yet. The manager will pick the team and we will back him 100 per cent." What is almost certain is that two key defenders will return to the starting line-up in the shape of Alan Hutton, who was used as a substitute in Amsterdam after five months out injured, and Stephen McManus, who is recovering "very well" from ankle ligament damage.

Butcher confirmed that the injured Derby winger, Kris Commons, has no chance of playing and nor does the Rangers centre-half David Weir or the Celtic midfielder Paul Hartley. The trio missed the weekend match too.

McCormack said be believes "there are goals in the team" and that the players "have been scoring for fun in training." He added that his start on Saturday was pleasing "but if I start on Wednesday, then that's what I've dreamed about since I was a kid. Playing for your country at Hampden. I've only played there once, for about 10 minutes [for Motherwell] in the Scottish Cup against Queen's Park. Scoring at Hampden would eclipse anything in my career so far. That would be dream stuff."

* Robin van Persie has pulled out of the Dutch squad to play Macedonia tomorrow. The Arsenal striker has been troubled by a hamstring injury he sustained against Scotland.