Rodri being rattled by a Norwich City-anchored Scotland side made for firmly entertaining viewing in midweek. 

Angus Gunn, Grant Hanley and Kenny McLean - brought on as a second-half substitute - forming the spine of a side that lowered the colours of the 2010 World champions helped capped a memorable international break for City’s stars north of the border, adding a glimmer of yellow and green sparkle to an otherwise forgettable few days as the footballing community endured yet another mundane break from the thrills and spills of the domestic English calendar. 

The intermittent hiatus of club football remains a largely resented staple of the season, an understandable sense of fan frustration but one always made more palatable by the presence of City players starring for their countries across both the British Isles and beyond. 

The club's relative Championship struggles may have dampened City spirits this season, but it’s always a welcome source of satisfaction to see the likes of club captain Hanley, Player of the Season favourite Gunn and the ever-dependable McLean - still remarkably underrated by fans - steer their country to a historic victory against Luis de la Fuente's petty Spanish side, who were so visibly angered by the Scots' ostensibly unfair - but totally legitimate - 'time wasting' tactics. 

Manchester United star Scott McTominay was the double goalscoring hero at Hampden Park - but Hanley's indefatigability at the back, coupled with Gunn's reliable exploits in goal and McLean's tireless work when introduced in midfield, helped haul Steve Clarke's Scots to their first win against their decorated opponents for 39 years. 

The Pink Un: Angus Gunn smothers the ball during Scotland's win over SpainAngus Gunn smothers the ball during Scotland's win over Spain (Image: PA)

It's difficult to read too much into players' performances during the international break, but there's no denying such a stellar display of Scottish determination, and gamesmanship, bodes well for City's play-off chances as David Wagner's stuttering side enter the business end of the Championship season. 

It's been an inconsistent few weeks of toothless performances but, if Hanley - far from his best in recent times, particularly at Huddersfield on that bleak Wednesday night - Gunn and McLean can channel the spirit of their national team for the remainder of the season, City can have every chance of scrambling into the top six places and gatecrashing their rivals' promotion hopes. 

But it's going to be no easy feat. 

Daunting trips to Blackburn, Middlesbrough and - to a lesser extent - West Brom beckon and with the visit of FA Cup semi-finalists Sheffield United firmly on the weekend horizon, Wagner's players will need to discover a newfound steel and cutting edge if they are to leapfrog the likes of Millwall and embark on a late season play-off push. 

The next few weeks are genuinely set to be a fascinating watch, with City's season at a crossroads and it now being down to the players to either seize this opportunity by the scruff of the neck or allow the campaign to fizzle out in a similar vein to that underwhelming 2016/17 experience under Alan Irvine. 

It's difficult to gauge whether this squad have such a surge in their locker. 

Understandably, the early season narrative under Dean Smith fundamentally centred around the largely resented former Villa boss failing to get the best out of an allegedly top-quality Championship squad. 

But since his departure, and despite a handful of more high-intensity and energetic winning displays under Wagner, there have still been no real consistent signs of improvement and City are still searching for the fluency, fluidity and attacking verve to mark themselves out as a proper promotion force. 

That still has time to change, however, and this weekend's clash with the Blades - who are suffering something of a minor blip in league form in recent weeks - looks to set to significantly shape the narrative and direction of travel for the rest of City's season. 

I am currently writing this column on a train from Poznan to Berlin, sadly unable to attend Saturday's hotly-anticipated showdown with Paul Heckingbottom's Wembley-bound high-flyers. 

But I will be firmly following from the continent and hoping that Hanley, Gunn, McLean and co can emulate their Hampden heroics and help lay the foundations for a thrilling last-gasp play-off push.