Scotland players gave their all, says Gordon Strachan
Thursday 8 October 2015 23:59, UK
Gordon Strachan paid tribute to his Scotland players, despite conceding a late goal to Poland that ended their hopes of qualifying for Euro 2016.
Robert Lewandowski's last-gasp equaliser at Hampden Park on Thursday evening ended Scotland's dream of a place in France next summer, but Strachan believes his side left it all on the pitch.
Goals from Matt Ritchie and Steven Fletcher had put Scotland ahead after Lewandowski's third-minute strike, but the Poland international snatched a crucial point for his side in the 94th minute.
"If I'm like the rest of the nation, I'm hugely disappointed for the players," Strachan said. "I've seen a group of lads give as much as they can give.
"I actually feel a bit sorry for them. To put that much work in and score two wonderful goals, I'm really proud of what they have done."
Strachan added: "You couldn't call the second (Poland goal) brilliant - it was more like American football, a Hail Mary, just chuck it in there and hope for the best.
"Sometimes there's not a lot you can do about that. It takes a horrendous deflection, hits the post and comes back the way."
Scotland, who have not qualified for a major tournament since 1998, must now regroup before qualification for the 2018 World Cup but Strachan would not be drawn on where this campaign went wrong.
"I've got to say that I really can't be bothered speaking about it just now. I'm not going to disguise it, I don't want to speak about it.
"For me to sit here and pontificate about what went wrong is unfair to everybody in that dressing room. My thoughts are with them at the moment and the coaching staff and everyone who has helped us, to get to a point where we're 2-1 up and really proud of the way we were playing against a top side."
Strachan would not comment on questions over his own future after the game, preferring instead to focus on the effort his players put in over the course of the campaign.
"Again, that is really unfair because there are guys in there hurting and for me to talk about myself is wrong," Strachan said.
"They are the priority at the moment, those guys in there. To talk about me is all wrong. I will leave that to other people.
"I have people in this building hurting and I need to look after them."
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