Italy's act of friendship

The calculation was based on the income from previous big games.

Every hotel room in the city - 17,000 in total - has been booked, according to the tourist office, which expects 34,000 supporters from outside Glasgow.

The local licensing board has extended opening on Saturday by one hour for bars across the city.

The Tartan Army is also expected to gamble a record �10m as anticipation of the encounter reaches fever pitch.

Scotland must win the game to guarantee qualification for next year's finals in Austria and Switzerland.

If Scotland beat Italy the Tartan Army will carry McLeish to Buckingham Palace on their shoulders, tearing down the Wembley Arch on the way Robin Hutchison Ladbrokes

Russell Whyte, senior economist at DTZ Scotland, said: "It's a win-win situation for the Glasgow economy even if Scotland fails to beat Italy at Hampden Park on Saturday evening."

Glasgow City Marketing Bureau put the windfall at �6.6m.

Chief executive Scott Taylor said: "The economic impact is tremendous, the whole of the city is buzzing.

"These type of events platform Glasgow on a global stage ...this helps put Glasgow on the map.

"I thinks it's the biggest emotional game Glasgow has ever hosted. This has the hearts and minds of Scotland behind it."

Two sons

Bookmakers believe the game will also smash all betting records for any match in any sport involving Scotland.

The previous record of �5m was held by Scotland's Euro 2000 play-off game with England at Hampden in 1999.

Ladbrokes spokesman Robin Hutchison said: "If Scotland beat Italy the Tartan Army will carry McLeish to Buckingham Palace on their shoulders, tearing down the Wembley Arch on the way."

The tickets for the Italy match sold out to supporters club members

Rock group Runrig have officially launched their Loch Lomond single in aid of the BBC's Children in Need and in support of Scotland's Hampden clash.

They have pulled out of performing at the match.

Their manager Steve Cullen said the band had flown in on Friday from a tour date in Germany but had not been able to transport enough equipment back.

More than 6,000 people who could not get hold of tickets for the match will attend a Tartan Party on Glasgow Green.

Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "This is the biggest Scotland match for a decade or more.

"Everyone will want to see the boys beat Italy and I want to ensure that as many people as possible can share the atmosphere."

James McNally, convener of the local licensing board, said: "The licensing board, in recognition of the party atmosphere in the city, will allow an extra opening hour to all those premises which have applied."

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service said all of its appliances would be flying Saltire and Lion Rampant flags on Friday and Saturday to show support for the team and raise money for charity.

Meanwhile, award-winning pizza chef Domenico Crolla, who is Scottish-born with Italian parents, has created a half-Scottish half-Italian pizza.

The pizza features a whisky sauce base, Scottish cheddar, smoked salmon, grouse and Aberdeen Angus on the Scottish half, with tomato, mozzarella, Parma ham, salami and pepperoni on the Italian.

Domenico said: "It's like having two sons playing on opposite sides of the same match, you don't want either of them to win. You know either way one of them is going to get hurt."