Tuesday 10 October 2017 17:22, UK
Gordon Strachan claimed Scotland have a genetic height deficiency after failing to qualify for the World Cup - but what would the shortest and tallest Premier League XIs look like?
The Scots missed out on a World Cup play-off spot after a 2-2 draw in Slovenia on Sunday and Strachan blamed a lack of height for his side's failure to progress.
"Genetically we are behind," Strachan said. "In the last campaign, we were the second smallest, apart from Spain. We had to pick a team to combat the height and strength at set-plays."
In the Premier League, Jose Mourinho signed the likes of Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to boost Manchester United's aerial presence, while other clubs have sought to acquire height in addition to pace.
But what would the shortest and tallest combined Premier League XIs look like? We've worked it out...
Tottenham reserve 'keeper Michel Vorm is the shortest stopper at 183cm, behind a centre-back pairing of Cesar Azpilicueta (178cm) and Nathan Ake (180cm).
Watford's Kiko Femenia (176cm) slots in at right-back and West Ham's Aaron Cresswell (176cm) completes the back four on the left.
N'Golo Kante may have won two successive league titles with Leicester and Chelsea, but the France international offers little in terms of aerial threat at 168cm and partners Swansea captain Leon Britton (also 168cm) in central midfield.
Bournemouth and Scotland international Ryan Fraser is the shortest player in the league at 163cm and occupies the left flank, while Everton winger Aaron Lennon slots into right midfield.
Up front, Jermain Defoe becomes the third Bournemouth player to make the starting XI at 171cm, partnering Leicester forward Ahmed Musa (171cm).
Southampton 'keeper Fraser Forster has had an impressive start to the Premier League season and the England reserve is also the tallest at 201cm.
Veteran Arsenal centre-back Per Mertesacker (198cm) forms a towering partnership with Liverpool's Joel Matip (195cm), while Crystal Palace's Martin Kelly (191cm) is the tallest left-back and Stoke's Kurt Zouma (190cm), on loan from Chelsea, makes the XI at right-back.
Manchester United duo Marouane Fellaini and Nemanja Matic provide aerial dominance in central midfield - with both players measuring 194cm tall.
West Ham's new signing Marko Arnautovic claims a starting place in right midfield at 192cm, while his replacement at Stoke, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, starts on the left.
Fellow Stoke forward Peter Crouch is the first outfield name on the team-sheet at 201cm and leads the line alongside fellow aerial menace Zlatan Ibrahimovic (195cm) - who becomes the third Manchester United player to make the XI after re-signing for the club this summer.
