The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Strachan satisfied by squad stability
Scotland manager Gordon Strachan stressed his satisfaction with the stability in his squad as he dismissed questions on the chaos that has struck World Cup rivals England.
Hours after Gareth Southgate replaced Sam Allardyce as England manager, Strachan named a familiar squad for Scotland’s qualifiers against Lithuania and Slovakia.
Strachan effectively only made one change following Scotland’s opening 5-1 victory over Malta and that sees Shaun Maloney given the chance to add to his 47 caps. Fulham midfielder Kevin McDonald drops out while Rangers skipper Lee Wallace has been added to a 28-man pool after being both a late call-up and withdrawal earlier this month.
The Scotland boss declined to give his thoughts on Allardyce’s fate following comments made to undercover reporters and he refused to speculate when asked whether his departure could affect England’s chances ahead of an Auld Enemy clash at Wembley in November.
“I really have no idea,” Strachan said. “Our games have started. I’m happy with how we performed in Malta. I think that reflects in the squad.
“We will try to keep the nucleus of the squad. Can we add one or two? There are people throwing themselves in front of us in the last three or four weeks (so will we make changes) or are we quite happy with what we’ve got?
“You have had a look at the squad and that gives you an indication how I’m feeling about our players at the moment.
“The reason they are there is because they are good players and they suit the system we are going to use in the next couple of games, good professionals and good role models for kids coming in.”
Strachan brusquely denied the Hampden clash with Lithuania on October 8 was a “must-win”. The Baltic nation, managed by former Hearts striker Edgaras Jankauskas, were two up at home to Slovenia in their opening qualifier before being held to a late draw.
“I think the Slovenian coach said, if anybody else goes there and gets points they will be doing well,” Strachan. “I saw them draw against Poland, who we know are a right good side. They have talented players.
“But I think Scottish people now understand … maybe 10 years ago they couldn’t accept Lithuania were a good team. I think we are all understanding, even the press are understanding, OK it’s not a well-known football country but they are producing footballers and teams.
“They’ve got a smaller squad which keeps them together and I’m sure there’s a good team spirit about them as well. They have good individuals too.”
Scotland face a three-day turnaround for their clash in Trnava, a situation which could see Strachan utilise his squad.
He said: “We are concentrating a lot just now on Lithuania with just a touch of Slovakia and where we go from there. But I watched Slovakia twice in the European Championship and I know what we have got to do for that. It’s just getting the right bodies, right names and who is playing well and fit enough at the time.”
Maloney was left out of the Malta clash because of a lack of game time but Strachan has recalled him after the former Celtic player made two cup starts.
“Shaun has been used as a substitute quite a lot with Hull and played a game last week against Stoke, a terrific game,” Strachan said. “He has professionalism, ability, intellect, willingness to play for Scotland.”