 Aitken (left) says there is a great mood within the Scotland camp |
Scotland coach Roy Aitken views Saturday's clash with Italy as perhaps the most important game in his nation's football history. "It comes close to that," the former Celtic defender told BBC Sport ahead of a game his side must win at Hampden to reach the Euro 2008 finals.
Aitken has himself won titles, cups and Scotland caps but said: "I think it has got to be one of the biggest ever.
"It means so much to us all. To be there at this stage is incredible."
A Scotland victory would guarantee progress to the finals in Austria and Switzerland after emerging from a qualifying group that contained both World Cup finalists.
And it would leave Italy sweating over the result of France's game in Ukraine four days later.
"The fact that the players have got to this stage is a great achievement in itself - a cup final game at Hampden Park in front of a full house," said Aitken.
 | We need all our players fit and playing at the top of their game - and hopefully we catch Italy on an off-day Scotland coach Roy Aitken |
"It's a great achievement for everybody and we're all looking forward to it.
"There's a huge challenge to qualify for championship finals and one good win, one victory would take us there.
"But the big picture is that we have done fantastically well to get to this stage and it's still a tall order to beat the world champions."
Aitken is delighted to be part of Alex McLeish's management team and believes the atmosphere within the squad has helped the Scots to the brink of qualification.
"Alex has picked 25 players for Tuesday and I bet you a pound to a penny every one of those players will be there on Tuesday - barring any serious injuries," he said. "They all want to be involved.
"We have some very good players, but our strength is in the work ethic.
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"We need all our players fit and playing at the top of their game - and hopefully we catch Italy on an off-day.
"If we can get it right then there is a chance of beating them."
Aitken said it would be the management team's job to prevent the expected media and supporter hype about the showdown with Italy from affecting the players.
"The icing on the cake is this Saturday, when we have given the nation the chance to enjoy this day - and hopefully we'll have a great one," he said.
"The main thing is to keep everybody on a level keel.
"We want the players to go into this relatively relaxed, as they have in other matches."
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Interview: Scotland coach Roy Aitken
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