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Gordon Strachan insists he is only thinking about Scotland team, not his future

Gordon Strachan winces as a chance goes begging at Wembley
Image: Gordon Strachan insists he is only thinking about the Scotland team, not his future

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan says his critics are "wrong" to ask him about his concerns for his job, and that his only focus is on the success of the team.

Strachan is under severe pressure after Scotland's 3-0 defeat by rivals England on Friday evening, meaning they are second bottom of World Cup Qualifying Group F, four points off second place.

The 59-year-old, who has been in charge since January 2013, said people are "completely wrong" to suggest he is thinking about himself, and was adamant that all of his concerns are on the team and the fans.

It was a wearily familiar story for the Tartan Army on Friday night
Image: It was a wearily familiar story for the Tartan Army on Friday night

Strachan said: "If you think I'm thinking about myself, you don't know me. I'm thinking about the team. They've been tremendous to me. At this time, I think only about them.

"If you think I'm sat here worrying about myself, how I feel, you're completely wrong. I'm thinking about all the fans that came down here, all those players in the dressing room."

Asked when he will be concerned about himself, Strachan replied: "Probably when I'm just about to die, and I'll think: 'Gordon, you had a good life.'"

Scotland had two fine chances to equalise before England got their second
Image: Scotland had two fine chances to equalise before England got their second

Strachan's Scotland had fine opportunities to equalise after the break with England 1-0 up, but were punished with some slack marking, conceding all three goals to headers, coming from all three of the hosts' shots on target in the game.

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The Scot said he was proud of the way his side played, but equally hurt that their efforts did not result in points on the board in Group F.

"At this moment in time I feel really proud of the way they played, went about their job. At the same time I feel really hurt that they went through that in the last 15 minutes after what they put in.

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Three headers gave England a 3-0 win over rivals Scotland at Wembley in their World Cup Group F Qualifier

"I've seen Scotland teams come here and not get a shot on goal, and some of them are pundits now.

"It was nothing like that [tonight]. That was a braver, more organised performance.

"We've got to have a wee look at it now, then go away and have a debrief. At this time it's hard to take in anything. I do feel for that group in there, because that wasn't fair.

"The game was cruel to them tonight, really cruel, and in life if you put that much work in, somewhere down the line, the game will come good to them."

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