You’ve Scot our backing! We’ve paid out on Scotland World Cup qualification

We've decided to reward the optimism of those who've backed Scotland to make it to Russia in 2018...

Gordon Strachan’s Scotland may be on a roll, but even the most ardent Tartan Army fan will be cautious about getting too carried away ahead of their side’s clash with Slovenia on Sunday evening.

Who are we kidding? You’re all going bananas, aren’t you? And rightly so.

To celebrate Scotland’s incredible run of form, and the ridiculous optimism of the fans who backed their side to do it when all hope looked lost, we’ve paid out on the Tartan Army qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

Going into Sunday’s crucial match in Ljubljana, Scotland are 3/1 to reach Russia next summer.

Following last-gasp winners last time out against Slovakia (89th minute) and the reverse fixture with Slovenia (88th minute) – as well as Leigh Griffiths’s late brace against England at Hampden – we’ve got odds of 7/1 that Scotland score in the final five minutes of the game.

We’ve also got a price on Griffiths scoring from a free kick (16/1) as he did, twice, against England; Scotland drawing Wales, Northern Ireland or Ireland in the play-offs (11/4); and Scotland going further than England if they get to Russia (16/1).

Spokesman Paddy Power said: “Scotland are Strach from the dead when it comes to World Cup qualifying, and we’re backing their momentum to take them all the way – paying out early on the Tartan Army being in Russia next summer.

“But we expect some late drama along the way – well, it would only be appropriate given the rollercoaster ride of this qualification process if fans were taken on one last ride by the Scotland side.”

SCOTLAND SPECIALS

2/1          Rod Stewart to be pictured in the Ljubljana crowd
11/4       Scotland to draw Wales, Ireland or Northern Ireland in the play-offs
3/1          Scotland to qualify for the 2018 World Cup
7/1          Scotland to score in the final five minutes against Slovenia
14/1       Nicola Sturgeon to be pictured in the Ljubljana crowd
16/1       Leigh Griffiths to score a free kick against Slovenia
16/1       Scotland to go further than England at the 2018 World Cup
33/1       The Krankees to be pictured in the Ljubljana crowd
50/1       Gordon Strachan to be on the 2018 honours list
325/1     Scotland to win the 2018 World Cup

Tear down the goalposts over at PaddyPower.com for the latest Football Betting