Defender Christophe Berra has highlighted the change in mood in the Scotland camp, with the Hearts centre-back claiming that some players used to "dread" international duty.

Scotland head into their final two World Cup qualifying fixtures with the chance to earn a playoff spot, with the Tartan Army's first match coming against second-placed Slovakia.

Gordon Strachan's team are unbeaten in their last four competitive contests, and Berra has admitted that the confidence and belief in the squad is much greater than that of a number of years ago.

The 32-year-old is quoted by talkSPORT as saying: "Training has been good and the boys are coming from clubs full of confidence.

"I think people nowadays like coming away and working under the manager and playing for their national team, whereas maybe years back people dreaded it a little bit sometimes.

"There is a lot more optimism around the country and it's in our hands to hopefully keep that positive vibe going. The only way we can do that is by winning."

Scotland are looking to qualify for their first major tournament since the 1998 World Cup.