I can’t remember feeling as rejuvenated as this. The guys who’ve come in have refreshed everything
Strachan emboldened by the promise of youth as misery of summer friendly setbacks eases
BASKING in the heat of Malta in May, Gordon Strachan was not of a sunny disposition. In between daunting dates with Italy and France, he spoke of Scots playing ‘scared football’ and ‘a nation of unlucky passers’. This was perhaps as downbeat an address before an international game ever delivered by a national coach. The follow-up was not much more inspiring. Soon after a comprehensive defeat to the Euro 2016 hosts, Strachan admitted he wished he had not bothered agreeing to the fixture in Metz. It was, in his words, a huge mistake.
The perception for fans and media was that Strachan sounded like a man slowly losing a desire to soldier on with the job that, only last October, he had signed up to for a further two years. That there was more chance of him reviving the character of Rev. I M Jolly this New Year than looking ahead to a 2017 full of promise that a revitalised Scotland could clinch major tournament qualification after nine failed attempts.
Now he is ‘red hot for it’, according to friend and assistant manager Mark McGhee. And, as he returned to the sunshine island yesterday afternoon on a delayed SFA charter flight ahead of 2018 World Cup business, Strachan mercifully confirmed that impression.
The skies have cleared for him to be buoyed by the injection of youth in Oliver Burke, Barrie McKay, John McGinn and Callum Paterson, more than making up for the disappointment felt at Kieran Tierney’s withdrawal. He has picked up on a renewed vigour this week from James Forrest and Robert Snodgrass who, in clichéd club terms, feel like new signings after injury woes.
Five days with his footballers and a fresh start following a summer of misery watching all our neighbours at Euro 2016, the Scotland manager is talking like a man transformed from the one who sounded weighed down by state-of-the-nation worries on his last visit here. There will not be a prang on account of pessimism on the road to Russia if the manager has his mojo working.
Strachan said: ‘I must say I’ve enjoyed the past five days as much as I’ve enjoyed any training in the last four years. I was looking forward to this myself, I was really excited about meeting them. The coaches, the staff and the players all had enthusiasm already. But we’ve got an extra boost.
‘The players who’ve come in have refreshed everything. We have older ones, too, who are refreshed but the younger ones are naturally enthusiastic. It’s not just that. It’s their ability too. It’s been really pleasing. It’s been one of those times in football when you sit back and think: “This is great”.
‘I can’t remember feeling as rejuvenated as this. Maybe saying rejuvenated is a wrong way of putting it because I enjoyed the last campaign, but this has been an added bonus because of the performances I’ve watched over the last couple of months and the new faces we’ve added. In life, you get struggles before you actually get where you want to go. The real hard work starts now. As for the enthusiasm, though, that’s just wonderful.’
Strachan expressed his bemusement last week at accusations that his squad selection was unimaginative and stagnant. Doubters must wish that the team picked to face Group F’s lowest ranked nation at Ta’Qali Stadium vindicates that response.
Another source of complaint was that the most creative player of the last campaign, Shaun Maloney, was not required. It is to be hoped, then, that Strachan is confident the young legs introduced in £13million man Burke, Rangers flyer McKay or the power of Tony Watt are the key to navigating a way past negative hosts.
There is a mix, a variety of danger Scotland can pose to inferior yet troublingly stifling defences in this campaign. In 19-year-old Red Bull Leipzig signing Burke, there is the excitement of unleashing a potential superstar.
‘All the young lads have brought it,’ said Strachan. ‘Callum Paterson has been great. Barrie McKay, he’s different from Forrest. He passes away and sees passes that other people can’t see. His touch is fantastic, he works with full-backs. He’s a bonus.
‘If they just take what they’ve shown in training and with their clubs into international level then it’s looking good. We’ve people who have come to the fore over the last four friendlies. We’ve six or seven new faces. Our average age has come down by about three years, so that’s good. That wasn’t the priority. It was about bringing good players in who fit the system.
‘Barrie and Ollie have gone on different journeys. Barrie has had to deal with pressures playing with Rangers. Ollie now has pressure with the price. John McGinn has dealt with different things in his life to get where he is now and starred against Denmark. It’s not affected him.
‘There are different ways to get where you are but, somewhere along the line, pressures and the spotlight will come to you. It can be strange at times but you deal with it. We’ve got different types on the pitch. There are different ways of playing in the same position, I think.’
Scotland haven’t started a qualifying series with victory since Walter Smith’s side sunk Faroe Islands 6-0 at Celtic Park 10 years ago. Tonight’s game and a home tie next month against the only team the Maltese have beaten in their last 20 internationals, Lithuania, offer Strachan the kindest opportunity available to blaze a trail in the section.
He refused to set a six-point target, however, pointing out the struggles endured by Italy and Croatia here in Euro 2016 qualifying. The Italians prevailed 1-0 against Malta in both games. Croatia won 1-0 and 2-0.
‘We’re looking to win,’ he said. ‘But how did Croatia feel with 10 minutes to go here, only 1-0 up? How did Italy feel? We’re the only country that looks at anyone and, if they don’t have a big population, then you’re not any good.
‘But other nations show a bit more respect. Croatia were probably one of the best teams in the European Championships. Won 1-0 in Malta. We have to give them the due respect that I’m sure they are giving us.’