Scotland are bidding to reach a men’s World Cup finals for the first time since 1998.
“The biggest thing I’ve noticed is that there’s a real understanding of what it takes to be successful,” said former Scotland forward Naismith.
“Making the two Euros has been so valuable to this squad. You can now see that there is a focus, an understanding that, ‘we need to do this to get to a major tournament’.
“We’ve got a squad here who’ve been really successful. That’s four campaigns in which we’ve made the play-offs for a World Cup, got to two Euros and got a real chance of making a World Cup tournament as well.
“Football is what the country lives and breathes. Scots are really emotional, so at times it can be tough. What has been shown is when we are united, the fans are up for it, the players are up for it led by the manager, we’ve been really successful.
“We’ve been to two major tournaments, probably not done ourselves justice at those tournaments and what an opportunity they’ve got to make massive history and get to a World Cup.
“I grew up just seeing the last tournament in France ’98. The generation now supporting Scotland have seen two major tournaments and now potentially a World Cup. There’s definitely been a different mindset and expectations from everybody associated. That’s why we’re such a good nation that has had success and hopefully it can continue. “
