By Clive Lindsay, BBC Scotland in Amsterdam

The absent James McFadden starred in Scotland's last victory over the Dutch

They left behind a Glasgow bathed in Continental sunshine and, less than two flying hours later, swapped it for a Dutch capital enveloped in the kind of angry rain-soaked clouds they know only too well.

Back home, their leaders attempted to continue to look on the bright side.

But, as weather forecasts suggested more downpours in the lead up to Saturday's big game, the Tartan Army advance party trickling into Holland were finding it difficult not to expect more doom and gloom.

Whether through that renowned Dutch uber-confidence or genuine indifference, sleepy but wind-swept Amsterdam seems unperturbed by the impending Scottish invasion.

And no wonder. Netherlands' football team has a 100% record in World Cup qualifying Group 9 ahead of Saturday's latest instalment at the Amsterdam ArenA and sit third in the Fifa rankings.

While their visitors have advanced four places in the latest list, they still languish 25 spots behind, with manager George Burley already under pressure after an indifferent start to his debut campaign.

And, although a defeat in Macedonia was followed by a win in Iceland, the disappointing draw at home to Norway was made all the more painful by a typically Scottish "what-might-have-been" thanks to Chris Iwelumo's horrendous miss.

The odds are stacked against anything more than yet another Scottish trait - glorious failure - given the depleted forces Burley is able to muster

Burley's assistant, Terry Butcher, this week called on another tradition - that of the underdog who occasionally bites back to upset the odds.

He didn't have to go back as far as William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, or even Archie Gemmill's famous 1978 World Cup goal against the Dutch for inspiration - his own Inverness Caley Thistle having beaten Rangers at Ibrox earlier this month.

But the odds are stacked against anything more than yet another Scottish trait - glorious failure - given the depleted forces Burley is able to muster for the battle.

With James McFadden, the hero of that famous win over France in Paris the last time Scotland overcame a major football force, a long-term crock, injury has now denied him another potential giant-killer in emerging Derby winger Kris Commons, who not long ago helped put Manchester United to the sword.

And Celtic midfielder Paul Hartley is no longer a candidate for the midfield holding role likely to be adopted in an attempt to protect a seriously depleted back-line.

Rangers defenders David Weir and Kirk Broadfoot are both ruled out, while the game comes just too soon for former Ibrox team-mate Alan Hutton, who has gone from world-class potential to White Hart Lane wilderness in one injury-blighted season.

The Dutch boast a world-class forward line headed by Real Madrid's Huntelaar

Christian Dailly was spotted at Glasgow Airport on Wednesday, but the veteran, who earned a surprise recall for Rangers in their Co-operative Insurance Cup final defeat to Celtic, was in civvies and heading for arrivals - not the Dutch airlines departures desk.

With Stephen McManus a major doubt, Celtic team-mate Gary Caldwell is most likely to be partnered in central defence by Christophe Berra, who has been earning plaudits after switching from Hearts to Wolves but who would be making his first Scotland start.

Whoever gets the nod will come face-to-face with a Dutch attack made even more potent by the goalscoring touch recently rediscovered by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar after his switch to Real Madrid.

Add to that Arsenal's Robin van Persie, Liverpool pair Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babbel, plus midfield threats from Huntelaar's club-mates Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart, and it is not surprising that some fear a repeat of the 6-0 thrashing Scotland last suffered in the Amsterdam ArenA back in 2003.

But this time there are potential holes in the Dutch defensive dyke, especially now John Heitinga will be missing after a weekend injury with Atletico Madrid, should the Scots find a system capable of putting it under pressure.

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk failed in his attempt to persuade Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Saar to come out of retirement again and is likely to rely on Maarten Stekelenburg, who has lost confidence - and his first-team place - at Ajax.

My Sport: DEBATE Is Burley correct not to play Gordon and Hutton in Amsterdam?

That is the kind of news that will gladden the hearts of the expected 15,000 Scottish fans - almost double their ticket allocation - who will descend on Amsterdam by air, land and sea.

There's safety in numbers, the beer-enhanced mood will improve a few decibels and that might even help raise the players to new heights come Saturday evening.

Miss Scotland Stephanie Willemse will apparently be among their number, despite her Dutch heritage, and hopes to be a lucky mascot, just like predecessor Nieve Jennings proved in Paris.

Central defender Darren Barr, who has an outside chance of a first Scotland start, helped Falkirk beat an Ajax side containing Huntelaar and Sneijder in a friendly two years ago.

Amsterdam's coat of arms has three St Andrews crosses at its heart and, while the Dutch football team have often been dubbed the "Clockwork Orange", we have our own in the form of the Glasgow Underground.

Oh, and never mind your "Total Football", we invented the modern game. Sorry, is that the sound of a few straws being clutched?

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