Levein learns from defeat

Scotland boss promises better showing

Last updated: 2nd September 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Levein learns from defeat

Levein: Confident

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Craig Levein has assured supporters that Scotland will produce an improved performance against Lithuania on Friday night.

Scotland slipped to a 3-0 defeat in Sweden last month after turning in a lacklustre display that was widely criticised.

However, Levein has been able to call on a much stronger squad for his first competitive match in charge and insists lessons have been learnt from last time out.

The Scotland boss is determined to make a fast start to the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign and has set his sights on a good result in Kaunas.

"I assure you we will be better than we were in Sweden," Levein said.

"I hesitate to go back too often to the Sweden game. There are lessons to be learned but there could be seven or eight players different in this match from the last one so it's probably not a fair comparison.

"We have learned lessons and the most important one is the manager has learned that friendlies are quite important.

"The tempo of training has improved enormously and I think it's because of the importance of the game.

"The team hasn't been named and all the players are wanting to be selected. We have some of the experienced players back in, guys who have done things properly throughout their career.

"They set the professionalism in training so it's no coincidence that the tempo has improved. I have been happy with what has happened this week, although sometimes that doesn't always manifest itself on the pitch."

Important

Scotland kicked off their previous European Championship campaign with a 2-1 victory away to Lithuania and went on to push Italy and France until the final moments of their qualifying group.

"We have had a chat already with some of the guys who have played against Lithuania at the stadium and against some of the players we are playing against," Levein said. "It's helpful for any team not be fazed by the surroundings."

Levein does not necessarily believe Scotland need to beat Lithuania but recognises that it is important not to fall off the pace early on in a group that also contains Spain, Czech Republic and Liechtenstein.

"I don't know where the points are going to come from in the group," said the former Hearts and Dundee United manager. "We might draw all our away games and win all the home games and go through.

"But I understand the importance of this game. There are only five teams in our group and eight games.

"Recent results in Scotland in European competition have put the onus on us to do well. We want to do our best for the country.

"But it's disrespectful to say we have to take points from any team. You have to earn them. I know how hard it is to be a football manager and to get things right.

"We have got good players, particularly if everyone in the squad is fit and available. The players understand the importance of this match.

"I think it will be evenly balanced. Lithuania are the home team and arguably because of that might be favourites. But I look at the players we have and I'm relaxed going into this game. I know we have got match-winners in the team."