Scotland  are preparing for the final double-header in Albania on Saturday night which comes before the visit of Israel next Tuesday and the 27-year-old Aberdeen midfielder insists qualification is just as important to the players.

He said: "The squad is desperate to qualify like the whole nation is and yes, we know the importance of it and we are all determined to do that as a squad.

"It is something that we are working hard for.

"It is never easy as has been shown over the last few years, it is never an easy thing to do but we are but it is something that we are desperate to try to get.

"It is obviously in our own hands so it is up to us to go out and do the business.

"We will work hard this week, we have a good week to prepare for the game and everybody is looking forward to it."

Some pressure descended on McLeish and his players following the dismal display against Israel.

That  sense doom and gloom has increased as the number of call-offs this week have increased, the latest being Shinnie's Pittodrie team Mikey Devlin, who was replaced by Celtic's Jack Hendry after withdrawing through a knee injury.

However, Shinnie believes the Scotland squad has the character to come through.

He said: "Football is always pressure.  There is pressure in many different ways and if you are a player and can't deal with that then you probably shouldn't be in football.

"We know that everyone in the squad can handle it, they prove it a club level and it is about going out and proving it on the day.

"It obviously wasn't a great night (in Israel) and the performance wasn't what we wanted it to be.

"We lose the game and there is always going to be criticism, I have experienced that at club football, that's just what happens. But it is in our hands now and it us up to us to go and turn it around.

"These two games are massive for us and if we can win both of them you will get the plaudits so you take the good and the bad.

"We obviously had the game here against Albania (2-0 win) and it will be tougher away.

"Israel got beat over there but if we can play to our full potential we know it is a game we can go and win.

"So it is a game the whole squad is looking forward to and we will try to turn things around from the last result."

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