The star-studded world and European champions are runaway winners of Group I and are set to have a big say tonight in who finishes runners-up.

Assistant coach Houston is looking for Spain to do Scotland a favour in Prague by beating the second-placed Czechs - who are two points clear of the Scots - allowing Craig Levein's men to go in to the play-off spot with a win over Liechtenstein in Vaduz tomorrow night.

Scotland may have to conjure up a win over Spain in their final fixture in Alicante next Tuesday in order to finish above the Czech Republic, who are in Lithuania the same night, but Levein's assistant is hoping they will still have at least a fighting chance by that point.

"Certainly, one of the things Spain don't do is switch off in a match," said Houston.

"Look at their results over the last couple of years.

"They are world champions and European champions.

"Their under-21s are champions and their under-19s are champions, so we can learn from them.

"We ran them close at Hampden and were disappointed not to have taken something.

"It will be a different game over in Spain, but first we have to focus on the Liechtenstein game.

"We have to win to take it in to the Spain game but we have to give them the respect that they are due."

Nevertheless, despite his faith in Spain's commitment, Houston admits he will tune in to their game against the Czech Republic with some trepidation.

"I probably will be nervous," the Dundee United boss added

"It's natural. We want the Spanish to do well and then have an off day against us on Tuesday.

"That's what we can only hope for."