Strachan’s mission to end Tartan Army’s hurt
in Prague with Scotland GORDON STRACHAN today insisted Scotland can end 20 years of hurt and qualify for the World Cup Finals in Russia in 2018 – if he can unearth some new stars.
Strachan will start preparations for our qualifying campaign here in Prague this evening when the national team take on the Czech Republic in a friendly.
His side’s bid to reach the Euro 2016 finals in France this summer ended in failure when hitman Robert Lewandowski
scored an injury-time goal in a 2-2 draw with Poland at Hampden in October. However, the former Celtic boss is convinced they can go one better and make it to Russia 2018 if he can add some quality players to his side.
The 59-year-old has called up some of the country’s brightest young talents for the double header against the Czechs tonight and Denmark at Hampden on Tuesday night.
And Tony Watt, the former Hoops striker, could start up front after Steven Fletcher had to withdraw after being laid low with a virus.
The likes of Kevin McDonald of Wolves, Kenny McLean of Aberdeen, Matt Phillips of QPR and Watt of Blackburn Rovers aren’t just here to make up numbers.
Perform well in training and in the match and they will come into their manager’s thinking for the qualifier against Malta in Valletta in September.
Strachan added: “We’re taking all the good things and trying to add to it to make it even better.
“That’s what we’re trying to do. Is it tactics? Or is it finding players who can take us on as well?
“There is certainly a tactical side to it, but we all know in football that players make you a better coach and make you a better team. That’s what I’m looking for. We’re looking for players who can make us better, in many ways.
“I’m looking at different things and trying to see if we can find something to add. If we can add a wee bit to what we’ve had before, we will qualify.”
The inclusion of Watt in the squad for the Czech game was a surprise.
However, Strachan admitted he had been impressed with both Ross McCormack, the Fulham forward who was called up on Sunday night as a replacement for Steven Naismith after the Norwich man suffered a hamstring strain, and Watt in training this week.
Strachan said: “The performances of Tony and Ross yesterday in training in the two sessions mean we’re alright. If there’s one less striker it gives both of them a better chance of starting.
“If training had shown two of them were below par or beneath expectations then it would be a problem, but it’s the exact opposite. Both have done well.”