For years it was the cornerstone of Scotland’s success on the international stage.
When Craig Brown had us qualifying for major tournaments – Euro 96 in England and the 1998 World Cup in France – the foundations were built on a three-man defensive rock.
We’ve never been back at that level since and slowly that solidity at the back has eroded.
Now one of the best centre-halves of his generation is trying to introduce it again.
It’s still early in Alex McLeish’s second stint as Scotland boss.
Even after a morale-boosting Nations League win over Albania last time out, there was some criticism of his 3-5-2 system.
Is Kieran Tierney wasted as a left centre-back? Is Andy Robertson better coming from deep instead of wing-back?
And do we have anyone good enough to replace Scott Brown as our midfield anchor?
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McLeish recognises the validity of those arguments. But as he prepares for this week’s vital clash in Israel, he’s declared the back three are here to stay.
He will be flexible depending on circumstances, of course.
But after a chat with former boss Brown, seeing the formation return to fashion at the World Cup in Russia and being influenced by ENGLAND, McLeish is sold on it.
He said: “Our system has evolved because of some of the great players we have right now.
“I thought: ‘Why not?’ The three at the back has come into vogue.
“Antonio Conte made it work after a poor start at Chelsea with a 4-4-2 and came back to win the Premier League title.
“Keeping up with the modern game at the top level, you can see the trend is there now.
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“And I spoke to Brown a couple of months ago and said it was likely we’d play a similar system to his Scotland team.
“We’ve also taken inspiration from the Auld Enemy, with Gareth Southgate moving Kyle Walker into centre-back to accommodate two good players (Walker and Kieran Trippier) in the same team.
“Obviously we feel we can adjust the system and play 3-4-3, like Belgium did against us recently. They’re helped by the fact they have world-class players.
“But there are variations within it. Right now, our defensive system is a three but the players can go to a four at any moment. We have to prepare them for that.”
In front of any back three, McLeish needs someone in the Brown mould to dictate play.
But after the Celtic skipper retired from international football, the manager has to find someone else to fill the void.
Fulham’s Kevin McDonald was given the nod against the Albanians but is now struggling to get a start at Craven Cottage.
And Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur – who can play as a sitter – has so far declared himself unavailable to McLeish.
Ironically, Manchester United kid Scott McTominay, who could eventually be Brown’s successor for Scotland, was moved into defence last week by Old Trafford boss Jose Mourinho in their defeat to West Ham.
McLeish said: “Someone actually said to me a few months back that they thought Scott would eventually move to centre-back.
“We saw the rawness of Scott in there last week but by all accounts he played well. It was a crash course for him at West Ham. I’m not sure how many
sessions Jose would have done with him in that system.
“But it’s hard to get it right immediately – you have to work at it.
“Scott’s size is a big factor. He’s also quick and will get quicker so it’s food for thought for us.
“We’d just love him to be playing for Manchester United. But one or two of our boys aren’t getting game time right now.
“We’ve lost the experience and nous of Scott Brown in that position. We went with Kevin last time. I’ve seen a lot of him at Fulham and he’s played well.
“If we do play with a three in midfield you need that central hub and, at the moment, Kevin is the most experienced one.
“Ryan Jack can fill that role and there are one or two others. But it was a blow to lose Scott even though I can see his reasons.”
Whatever team McLeish picks in Haifa on Thursday night, it’s imperative they get a positive result and build some Nations League momentum.
He’s already been given the lowdown on Israel from Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill who masterminded a 3-0 friendly win over them at Windsor Park
last month.
And in the build-up to the game, McLeish will lean on O’Neill further in terms of sussing out the opposition’s strengths and weaknesses.
Brighton striker and former Rangers target Tomer Hemed – now on loan at QPR – will be their main threat.
Also at the Seagulls is former Celtic man Beram Kayal who seldom starts for the Premier League side but regularly features in Israel’s engine room.
McLeish believes the Scots can stamp their authority on the match but knows they can’t make the kind of mistakes that have killed campaigns in the past.
He said: “Israel will go for it against us. I met their coach, Andy Herzog, at a FIFA
conference recently. He’s trying to build a system for them.
“The Northern Ireland game looked like a drubbing but they still have dangerous players in their team.
“It will be a tough game for us. It reminds me of going there for a 1982 World Cup qualifier and everyone expecting us to thrash them.
“Thankfully, Kenny Dalglish scored the winner from one of my flick-ons!
“This team have good strikers in Moanes Dabour from Red Bull Salzburg and Hemed who’s been at a good level for years.
“I’ve met Michael and he gave me a bit of a rundown on them. I’m going to seek even more analysis.
“We need a mentality where we go away from home and have the balls to take control of the game.
“Under Gordon Strachan we had a team playing well but one slip would cost us.
“That damaged our chances and that’s what we’re trying to eradicate.
“That is old school stuff. It comes down to desire and we have to show that on
Thursday night.”