Scotland does not want to run the risk of facing "Russian roulette" to qualify for Euro 2024.
Steve Clarke admits he does not want his side to have to go through the play-off system once more in order to reach the finals of next summer's European Championships.
The national team is on the brink of qualification for the tournament in Germany next year.
Five wins from five has the Scots sitting pretty at the top of Group A. They're nine points clear of Spain in second place.
It does seem like a matter of when and not if Scotland seals their automatic spot at next summer's finals.
But Scotland does have the back-up of the Nations League if they fail to finish in the first or second spot in their section.
But Clarke is not considering that at the moment.
He told the media: “We don’t want the play-off. We don’t want that gamble, that Russian roulette, that risk of going into a play-off.
“We have a chance of finishing second to quality direct or maybe even first.
"So let’s go and qualify directly for a change, it would be nice.”
Friday's comfortable 3-0 victory in Cyprus has the supporters dreaming of watching their country in yet another major tournament under Clarke.
The boss insists fans are more than entitled to book up flights and accommodation, even if it does seem a tad premature.
But he and his players will not be getting carried away until the job is done.
He added: “The fans can do what they like — and I’m sure they will.
“I love it when the supporters get carried away, and they are all dreaming now.
“They were dreaming after two games in the group and then again after three games, then again after four.
“We have allowed them to continue that dream up to now, so the fans can do what they want. But we’ll stay focused as a group.”
It comes as Elliot Anderson's international future remains up in the air.
Gareth Southgate has confirmed the Newcastle midfielder is a player he and the FA like.
He recently pulled out of the Scotland set-up after reportedly feeling uncomfortable.
