Archie Knox needs a victory over France

They were praised for their performance despite a 1-0 defeat in Slovenia last week but need a substantial victory to qualify from their group.

France are group favourites and Knox admitted: "It will be a tall order.

"But I know the players are capable of beating any other country at this level if they apply themselves correctly."

The Under-21 side contain several members of the Under-19 side that reached their European Championship final before losing to Spain this summer.

And Knox believes they are still heading in the right direction, despite the setback in Slovenia.

"We will concentrate on getting things right, and the players will be giving it everything they have got," he said.

Scotland Under-21s squad

Goalkeepers: Marshall (Celtic), Samson (Ross County), Turner (Everton)

Defenders: Broadfoot (St Mirren), Cuthbert (Celtic), Diamond (Aberdeen), Foster (Aberdeen), Hutton (Rangers), McEveley (Blackburn Rovers), Quinn (Motherwell), Smith (Rangers), Whittaker (Hibernian); Wilson (Celtic)

Midfielders: Adam (Rangers), Brown (Hibernian), Mulgrew (Celtic), Quinn (Celtic), Thomson (Hibernian), Wallace (Celtic)