Scotland assistant coach Peter Houston claims the standard of the national squad is "absolutely fantastic", ahead of Friday’s opening Euro 2012 qualifier against Lithuania in Kaunas.
The Dundee United boss has been busy helping with preparations for this weeks Euro double header, concluding with Lichtenstein’s visit to Hampden next Tuesday, and he believes that if the team play to their individual capabilities they should have no problems claiming full-points in their first competitive fixture under manager Craig Levein.
He said: “There is always an edge to a very important qualifier, and I see the same edge in training.
“The standard I’m looking at, doing and watching the training has been absolutely fantastic. These are quality players we have in the side, and they have to make sure they go out there with confidence. Passing the ball, retaining the ball and trying to create chances.”
National boss Levein has pulled no punches with his latest squad, including a series of seasoned international players. Veteran defenders Stephen MacManus and David Weir come back into the Scotland fold, and the Tartan Army faithful will be hoping to see less of the ‘schoolboy’ defending witnessed in last month’s 3-0 friendly defeat at Sweden.
Houston has been quick to back-up Levein’s claims that the upcoming Euro double-header will be approached with more importance than August’s friendly, and says the squad selection reflects this.
“In Sweden we had a very very young back four, and we have more experience in there just now. That’s no disrespect to the players who played in that friendly, but this is a game we are really looking forward to and we know what’s at stake.”
The side has already suffered a handful of call-outs with Andy Webster, Chris Iwelumo and Lee Wallace all definitely out of the game in Kaunas. Barnsley defender Jay McEveley has been brought in as cover for the problematic left-back position, with Birmingham City’s Garry O’Connor another late-call up.
Friday nights qualifier in Lithuania kicks off at 7.15pm (GMT) with European minnows Lichtenstein visiting Hampden the following Tuesday at 8pm.
