THERE are various aspects to what you might term the feelgood factor within Scottish football.

Unquestionably, success in Europe contributes so in an ideal environment, the entirety of the nation would urge Rangers to succeed in the return leg of their Uefa Cup tie against Osasuna in Spain tomorrow night to qualify for the quarter-finals.

That's not about to happen because the nature of Old Firm rivalry and the paranoia of sections of supporters from outwith the west of Scotland take as much pleasure in the defeats of the Glasgow powers as they do in the successes of their teams; sometimes more so.

lWhat percentage of the Celtic-minded enjoyed Brahim Hemdani's late equaliser in the first leg against the Spaniards?

lHow many Rangers supporters had moments of regret when Kaka's goal ended Celtic's interest in the Champions League?

lDid anyone who gets their kicks outwith the fortunes of the Old Firm genuinely give a toss about their European results?

We truly are an insular mob here, much more so than in England, where punters of rival clubs do back and enjoy the European progress of the participants, irrespective of their geography.

Sure, it can be galling to witness their Little Englander attitudes, but there is a commonality of focus and cause.

Here, only the national team unites but not conclusively. Time was when Old Firm supporters would join in the scramble for tickets, have Hampden bursting out of its shirt, and turn the England-Scotland fixture at Wembley into a home match. Now, there is but a peripheral interest, the bulk of the national side's backers making their way from the north or the east.

The SFA should be aware this trend carries a threat of polarisation. The previous manager, Walter Smith, is of an age that allowed him to recall times when the great divide in the west of Scotland was bridged by a common support for the national team.

His decision to keep Tommy Burns as No.2 was in no way political, because he retained a genuine admiration for his skills from the years when they sat in opposition dugouts during Old Firm occasions. However, the very fact they were from the two sides of the valley sent a message of unity.

Likewise, the decision of Smith's successor, Alex McLeish, to invite ex-Celtic captain Roy Aitken to join him and Andy Watson.

McLeish names his squad tomorrow for the Euro 2008 double header against Georgia at Hampden and Italy in Bari later in the month and he is clear there must be a unity of purpose embracing every facet of the nation if Scotland are to continue to impact on the group.

Smith has left him a solid legacy and not just in terms of points gained. Under Berti Vogts, few Old Firm supporters bothered to turn up. They were savvy enough to recognise a collection of players in disarray, without direction or purpose.

They trickled back, game on game, as Smith and Burns provided a reason to believe and they will swell in numbers if the Scots can continue to suggest a place in the finals in Austria and Switzerland is realistic.

To further the cause, the Scots must beat Georgia. McLeish requires a result to stabilise the backroom structure and to take to Italy where little other than a sore face is likely. It may be the case the Scots have already peaked in this group and cannot improve.

But, as Franklin Delano Roosevelt once said, tell that one to the marines - not to those who will fill Hampden and, just as significantly, those waiting in the wings and yet to be convinced.