NO SOLID BOND FOR STRACHAN’S BOYS

GORDON STRACHAN says his players do not need to do any team bonding – and in his experience it ends with drinking and fighting.

England boss Gareth Southgate took his squad to a Royal Marines boot camp last weekend to try and build team spirit.

But Strachan (left) dismissed the notion and said his players genuinely believe they can cause an upset and beat their old rivals at Hampden Park. The Scotland boss said: “The best bond is when you are on the field and in the dressingroom. That’s it.

“I’ve seen it all before. The go-kart days, nights out, golf days. All that happens is they get drunk and start fighting with each other.

“And this table is better than that table when they are drinking. That doesn’t work.

“Anywhere I’ve been, it’s been about winning games of football and enjoying that 20 minutes after a game when you celebrate as a group. That’s what makes you into a team. That’s what’s happened with Celtic – it’s all about winning games of football to bring team spirit together.

“And when you see the six Celtic boys together, their team spirit is fantastic.”

The pressure is mounting on the Scotland boss, but Strachan insists his men can beat England.

“I genuinely believe we can win the game,” he added. “I’d be really disappointed if we didn’t get anything from it. We’re going for the victory.”