Ernst Happel made it to a World Cup semi-final as a player before his Dutch side were undone in the Final against hosts Argentina in 1978.
Quite what he'd have made of the farcical crowd in the Viennese ground bearing his name is anyone's guess.
But Austria summoned a solid performance to come from two goals down against Scotland and give outgoing boss Franco Foda a solid send-off.
Jack Hendry netted his second Scotland goal before John McGinn finished off an incredible attacking move to extend the remarkable unbeaten run under Steve Clarke to eight games.
But the win escaped our grasp when Austria substitutes Michael Gregoritsch and Alessandro Schopf brought them level in just seven second-half minutes.
Austria started well, clearly hurting after a morale-damaging defeat in Wales five days prior that brought a brutal World Cup exit and the resulting national apathy.
Sasa Kalajdzic, who looked a real danger when the sides met in Qatar 2022 qualifying, tested out the sharp reflexes of Craig Gordon early on from a corner.
That came in between two decent McGinn chances, the first a snapshot that required keeper Daniel Bachmann's attention before a left-footed attempt trickled just wide of his right post.
Gordon was required again to stop Kalajdzic after a smart ball across from Valentino Lazaro before Marko Arnautovic was next to be denied by the fabulous Hearts keeper from all of 12 yards.
Frequently Austria were caught far up the park though and Andy Robertson, back in the side after a positive Covid test, glided into the opposing half before stroking a beautiful through ball into Che Adams.
His overdue shot was turned behind for one of the most bizarre corners witnessed in international football.
It might not have been how set-piece guru Austin MacPhee drew it up but it worked when Grant Hanley rose from a standing start at the back post before using the crossbar to find Hendry a yard out.
The Club Brugge man put his head where it hurts, clashing with Christoph Baumgartner on the line as he bundled home. The Austrian came off worse while around 2,700 travelling Scots were sent into raptures to remind that this wasn't a closed door game after all.
Austria were clearly desperate to win back some goodwill from the few in attendance though and came back with Arnautovic poking through Gordon's legs only for Tierney to double back and smash clear before he could tap into the gaping net.
The second half began with them continuing on the front foot.
But again they were found exposed when magical play down the left saw Robertson and Tierney slice open the opposing defence before the Arsenal man laid it on a plate for McGinn to smash home.
Cue a few bars of "Scotland get battered", which bounced around desolate Ernst Happel stands with delightful irony.
But finally the home fans were sparked into life when substitute Gregoritsch headed home from a pinpoint Andreas Ulmer delivery.
Bayern Munich's Marcel Sabitzer, quiet until this point, then fired just wide.
The pressure had been turned up and suddenly came the leveller when Scotland failed to clear and allowed another sub, Schopf, to drill home from the edge of the box.
In the end a draw was probably the fairest outcome – and here are three talking points from the action in Vienna.
All set
Once again Scotland show their knack at scoring from set-pieces.
Players and manager alike frequently give long-locked Austin MacPhee credit for designing the routines that have been a major source of goals in recent international windows.
Under the shoulder-length hair is clearly a wealth of knowledge and he's proven to be a valuable asset.
That dangerous six-yard box special delivery was utilised again. It needed redirected by Hanley but Hendry was there to sign off at the back post.
Last week it was a free-kick nodded in by Kieran Tierney. Before that, John Souttar against Denmark.
You can go further back to Scott McTominay's crucial touch that downed Israel and Hanley was on target this time last year to keep the Austrians at bay in our qualifying group.
It might not be the prettiest way to win.
But big set-piece goals are the backbone our rise has been built on.
Safe hands
Craig Gordon once again cemented his place as the nation's de facto number one.
His range of stops were sublime and while we know he won't be at this level forever at 39 he just doesn't seem keen on slowing down.
At the very least he'll be around for when the play-off semi-final against Ukraine comes around and, fingers crossed, the World Cup finals in November.
In all honesty he was tested far too often given how steady the backline has been under Clarke.
A goalkeeper was the hero of the last qualification campaign.
Could another turn out to be in peak form at just the right time for Qatar 2022?
Bizarre atmosphere
Such was the sparse home attendance it almost felt like a throwback to the dark days of socially distanced stands and capped attendances.
The strange atmosphere saw the dark blue pocket of fans ousting the home supporters all match.
Austria fans were witnessing a sad end to Franco Foda's reign and it was easy to almost feel sorry for the departing gaffer – until that late leveller.
They were delighted by a magnificent comeback that showed this proud nation have some fight in them for when the next manager comes around.
Meanwhile hardy Tartan Army members who once used to dream and believe are now starting to expect and in many respects Tuesday's performance fell short.
