I’m fed up being part of history… it’s time for Scotland to find new World Cup heroes, says Paul Lambert

PAUL LAMBERT was part of Scotland’s squad at France 98 and played in all three of our group games.

He takes no pleasure from the fact that was the last time we were involved in a major tournament

Indeed, he is now fed up talking about it and wants this current group to smash the hoodoo and create new memories and talking points.

The midfielder, who earned 40 caps during a glittering career with St Mirren, Motherwell, Borussia Dortmund and Celtic, watched the marvellous victory over Slovakia at Hampden on Thursday night.

Victory tonight in Slovenia will almost certainly clinch a spot in the play-offs next month for the right to go to Russia next summer.

The 48-year-old feels our nation needs a lift on so many different levels, and being back at a World Cup Finals is one of way of raising morale.

He is well aware of the importance football carries in this country and he wants to see the negativity born of the hurt and failure of the past two decades banished for good.

Lambert is convinced our dream can be realised in the coming weeks.

He told The Sunday Post: “I’m thrilled for Gordon Strachan and the players to see them gain such a positive result against Slovakia.

“Led by captain Darren Fletcher, they showed a great amount of maturity and patience during the game to achieve the required result.

“I heard Gordon after the game saying he felt fairly calm and had a confidence in his players that they would score.

“Funnily enough, I shared that confidence.

“Watching the game, I felt Scotland were in total control and, as the clock ticked down, I never felt it was going to finish 0-0.

“They have scored many late goals in this campaign. So I knew never to lose faith in them and that’s the way it turned out to be again.

“When the ball went in the net from Ikechi Anya’s cross, it was almost as if the whole country erupted. It was a wonderful feeling, just amazing.

“I’m absolutely delighted for Gordon and his backroom staff.

“They are the ones who carry the hopes of the nation on their shoulders, and they have handled it all supremely well in the past few months.

“Just a year ago, it looked as though qualification would be beyond us.

“But they have defied the odds and showed unbelievable determination and character to get back into it.

“Now, of course, the focus is on Slovenia.

“The fact that there is no grey area in the 90 minutes will suit Scotland.

“It’s a must-win game – and we are now quite good at those, aren’t we?

“I don’t want to get carried away and look too far ahead.

“But I am desperate for the players to go all the way from Sunday night and into the play-offs, and then to the World Cup itself next summer.

“I’m actually fed up of being part of the last squad that ever made it to a major Finals.

“My goodness, it was almost 20 years ago, in France. It’s been far too long.

“Some players might be happy to still be part of that particular piece of history, but I’m not.

“I had my moment and loved almost every second of my international experiences, but it’s time to move on.

“It’s time for a new era, for different chapters to be written, for new heroes to emerge.

“We need new stories to be told by this generation of footballers and for the Tartan Army to sample a few weeks on the road at the football.

“As a nation, I think we all want it and, frankly, need it.

“It will give the whole country a massive lift to have our national sport back at the forefront again.

“It will spur this generation of teenagers to stay in love with the game, and for the toddlers to fall in love with it.

“It’s a chance for a superstar or two to emerge for our nation.

“Looking back, I was very fortunate to have played with some top players and been part of a really good group.

“We worked hard to make the big tournaments and we need to get back there again.”

Scotland received tremendous backing from the fans inside Hampden on Thursday night, even though their nerves may have got the better of them in the final 10 minutes before the goal.

Lambert wants to hear the travelling support in full voice tonight.

He said: “I’m sure the fans will make themselves heard in Slovenia.

“If we win the game, then we all move on to the play-offs next month.

“We then keep our fingers crossed that we go all the way to Russia.

“The tournament will benefit from having the Tartan Army at the Finals, as has been the case in the past.

“They are a friendly bunch and they embrace the locals and their culture.

“Even for those who don’t travel to Russia, I think we will see our country put on some really good Fan Zone experiences.

“I can just imagine George Square in Glasgow, Princes Street in Edinburgh and Aberdeen’s Union Street being totally pedestrianised into giant parties.

“We have waited for so long, that I think the celebrations would be like nothing we’ve seen before.

“But I don’t want to get carried away. I don’t want to look too far ahead.

“It’s unfair on Gordon and the players.

“What we all need to do, as a nation, is get right behind the manager and the players for one last push.

“The players have the ability to win the game in Slovenia – and I’ve got a feeling they are going to do it.

“Of course, apart from talent, you need to carry a bit of luck on the evening and I hope we get that.

“It’s vital that we do.”

After tonight, the next big European game for Scottish players comes in the shape of Celtic’s trip to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League clash on October 18.

Lambert knows the German game inside out.

After signing for Borussia Dortmund from Motherwell in 1996, he played 44 games for the Germans and helped them win the Champions League.

He has spent lots of time in the country in the past three years, making use of the contacts he made from his time there.

He is also now working as a pundit on German TV. Indeed, Lambert heads to Munich today for five days with Bayern to learn about their infrastructure and coaching methods.

They dismissed Carlo Ancelotti after the 3-0 defeat to PSG, and he has been replaced by Jupp Heynckes until the end of the season.

But Lambert doesn’t believe the club is in bad shape.

He said: “It was a massive call to get rid of Carlo.

“He is a top, top manager. I spent time with him when he was at Real Madrid and the guy is different class, truly. But the hierarchy decided it was time for change.

“Listen, PSG, in their current form, could beat any side in the world 3-0.

“I watched Bayern Munich beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 on the opening day of the season. Their players are of the highest calibre and I was extremely impressed with Arturo Vidal in the middle of the park.

“He is one of the finest midfielders in the game right now, for sure.

“Brendan Rodgers and his players will not be fooled or lulled into a false sense of security.

“They will be aware they are still facing one of the best sides in Europe.

“I hope they do very well in this game and in their remaining Champions League games.

“First, though, it’s Scotland in Slovenia tonight. I wish them well.”