McLeish aims to rattle Italians
Alex McLeish wants his Scotland side to shake Italy's composure as they go in search of the win at Hampden that will secure Euro 2008 qualification.
"We know we face the world champions," the Scotland manager told Tennents.com.
"They've been in these situations many times before and they should be able to handle it with their mentality.
"But it's a football match, 11 against 11, and I'm sure the Italian guys are as human as anybody. If we can rattle them, it should be very interesting."
The Italians sit third in qualifying Group B and a defeat would leave the Azzurri needing France to lose in Ukraine, assuming they win their own relatively easy final game at home to the Faroe Islands, to qualify.
McLeish, whose side need a win to ensure their own passage to the finals in Austria and Switzerland, is likely to stick with the defensive system that has made his side surprise contenders.
And he realises that the Italians will arrive in Glasgow knowing he is unlikely to spring any selection surprises.
"I think they know what we're all about," said McLeish.
"They've already beaten us in the campaign, but we've had a tremendous run at Hampden and we'd like to finish with another victory at Hampden, which has been a fortress for us."
McLeish hailed the achievement that has the Scots challenging both World Cup finalists for qualification.
"I don't think anybody would have believed it at the start of the campaign," said McLeish, who took over when Walter Smith resigned before returning to Rangers in January.
"I'm sure that everybody would have hoped for something like this.
"But I don't think anybody in their wildest dreams would have believed we'd be contesting Italy in the very last game for qualification.
"And I think it's been a tremendous campaign whatever happens.
"I don't think we should even be using the term 'so far'. It's been a tremendous campaign, win, lose or draw against Italy."
