Scotland manager Alex McLeish insists his players deserve all the praise they are getting for pushing the World Cup finalists all the way in their Euro 2008 qualifying section.
His team go into the game against Group B leaders France in Paris one point behind Raymond Domenech's men but one point ahead of third-placed Italy after a nervy 3-1 win over Lithuania at Hampden Park on Saturday.
There is now fanciful talk of Scotland making the finals of a major tournament for the first time since the 1998 World Cup in France.
McLeish has been reluctant to buy into the hysteria surrounding his side's qualification chances but said: "Why shouldn't we be paid compliments because we get it in the neck when we are defeated.
"When you lose a game you get battered for your tactics and when you win it's slightly different.
"It's correct that we should get praise when we deserve it and at this time we deserve a bit of credit.
"Maybe it wasn't the prettiest game of football (against Lithuania) but by God, these boys know how to fight and we have got some inspirational characters in there.
"We got three points against Lithuania and now we are looking to take something from the France game."
Despite his bullishness, McLeish is all too aware of what awaits him and his players in the Parc des Princes.
Scotland beat France earlier in the group thanks to a Gary Caldwell goal and the World Cup runners-up, who have not lost a goal since, are thirsting for revenge.
The former Rangers manager said: "Only teams like Brazil expect to get something in Paris.
"The French would be favourites in Paris against any team in the world, never mind Scotland.
"The statistics are there and they all favour a French win, let's not make any bones about that and they were smarting after that defeat against us.
"We expect the French to be technically good, as usual, athletic, quick, and we will have to pull out all the stops to make sure that they are less effective.
"We are just of the mindset that maybe, just maybe, we will get something here.
"We will play the way most other teams play in Paris.
"We have a real confident squad but we need to look at experience and players who have the cockiness and the 'gallusness', to use a couple of Scottish expressions.
"These are the type of players I will be looking at in Paris."
Italy travel to Ukraine in what could actually be a more important match for McLeish than Scotland's game against France.
A draw would probably suit Scotland best and McLeish said: "Every game has its own importance so of course we will be looking at other games with a fairly open eye.
"We know that it's a must-win for Ukraine but Italy will be thinking that they must win as well. We know that all is not lost should we come back without any points."
There is now fanciful talk of Scotland making the finals of a major tournament for the first time since the 1998 World Cup in France.
McLeish has been reluctant to buy into the hysteria surrounding his side's qualification chances but said: "Why shouldn't we be paid compliments because we get it in the neck when we are defeated.
"When you lose a game you get battered for your tactics and when you win it's slightly different.
"It's correct that we should get praise when we deserve it and at this time we deserve a bit of credit.
"Maybe it wasn't the prettiest game of football (against Lithuania) but by God, these boys know how to fight and we have got some inspirational characters in there.
"We got three points against Lithuania and now we are looking to take something from the France game."
Despite his bullishness, McLeish is all too aware of what awaits him and his players in the Parc des Princes.
Scotland beat France earlier in the group thanks to a Gary Caldwell goal and the World Cup runners-up, who have not lost a goal since, are thirsting for revenge.
The former Rangers manager said: "Only teams like Brazil expect to get something in Paris.
"The French would be favourites in Paris against any team in the world, never mind Scotland.
"The statistics are there and they all favour a French win, let's not make any bones about that and they were smarting after that defeat against us.
"We expect the French to be technically good, as usual, athletic, quick, and we will have to pull out all the stops to make sure that they are less effective.
"We are just of the mindset that maybe, just maybe, we will get something here.
"We will play the way most other teams play in Paris.
"We have a real confident squad but we need to look at experience and players who have the cockiness and the 'gallusness', to use a couple of Scottish expressions.
"These are the type of players I will be looking at in Paris."
Italy travel to Ukraine in what could actually be a more important match for McLeish than Scotland's game against France.
A draw would probably suit Scotland best and McLeish said: "Every game has its own importance so of course we will be looking at other games with a fairly open eye.
"We know that it's a must-win for Ukraine but Italy will be thinking that they must win as well. We know that all is not lost should we come back without any points."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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