After the disappointment of missing out on Euro 2016, there appears to be a fresh sense of optimism surrounding Scottish football right now.
While, clearly, beating Malta 5-1 is no suggestion that Gordan Strachan will lead the Tartan Army into their first major tournament since 1998, the early signs are promising at least.
The emergence of young Oliver Burke and the return of Robert Snodgrass have provided Strachan will more options available to him in the Euro qualifiers.
Throw in burgeoning talents such as Ryan Gauld, Callum Paterson and Kieran Tierney and the foundations of a new generation are slowly falling into place.
A reasonably open group, which also contains England and the spectacle that goes along with that, may well see some the long-suffering Scots provide us with more antics such as this on their travels.
https://twitter.com/delbhoy007/status/772416617237975040
Domestically too, Scottish football gets a huge shot in the arm.
Ahead of the first Old Firm league meeting in four years, the tide appears to be turning somewhat in the country.
The top flight now has genuine competition for Celtic for the first time in years, something that will stop them merely coasting through the season and winning the league at a relative canter.
Even characters such as Joey Barton, divisive as he is, give the SPFL an edge that had been entirely lacking for years.
Which is exactly why the meeting at Celtic Park on Saturday can change the fortunes of Scottish football on the whole.
Finally, there’s a showpiece.
Two innovative and progressive young coaches in Brendan Rodgers and Mark Warburton are set to embark on what will hopefully be an exciting battle for many years to come.
With the Hoops now back in the Champions League proper, they can attract better names to Scotland and once again raise the profile.
Saturday’s game is still only worth three points, of course. But in a wider sense, it can mean much more.
Much more.
Scottish football fans, are you excited about the future? Let us know below…
