Andy Gray will imagine he is facing Germany tonight when he slips on the Scotland shirt again.

City's top scorer is in the Futures squad against Northern Ireland B at Partick. But his ultimate aim is to win a place for the crunch Euro 2004 qualifier with the Germans on June 7.

Berti Vogts has named a strong English-based side for tonight and has told them that positions are up for grabs for next month's Hampden showdown.

Gray said: "That will be a massive game for Scotland and is definitely on everybody's minds building up to it. We've got the Futures game and then there is a full friendly next week against New Zealand.

"The manager has said that places are definitely up for grabs, it's just a case of doing as well as you can.

"I'm aiming to get that chance and take it with both hands."

Gray will remain with the squad after tonight's match for two days of intensive training. Then he will hope to get the nod when Scotland tackle the Kiwis at Tynecastle in their final dress rehearsal.

Scotland are one of three sides locked on seven points at the top of Group Five. They have played one more than leaders Germany but have a game in hand on third-placed Lithuania.

Gray, who made his senior debut as a substitute in Lithuania seven weeks ago, added: "The group is totally wide open at the moment. There are three teams with everything to play for.

"If we take anything from the German game we stand a great chance of coming second and being in the play-off position.

"That is why nobody will be taking this Futures game lightly. He's named quite a strong, experienced squad and all the English-based lads who are usually in the full side are in it.

"A good performance in this one would give you a great chance of getting picked for Hampden Park."

Gray hit 15 goals in his first season with City, although he netted only once in the final six games. His penalty winner against Watford on Easter Saturday was the club's last goal of the campaign.

But he is hungry to go again and is not worried about returning to action so soon.

"If you are successful then the breaks get smaller. You want to play in the major international competitions and they are all in the summer. It will be a bit strange having to play again after the season finished a couple of weeks ago. But I've been ticking over training by myself and I'm naturally quite fit anyway."