Gordon Strachan praises Scotland's mental strength after 5-1 win in Malta
Monday 5 September 2016 09:09, UK
Gordon Strachan praised Scotland's mental strength after a fine second-half performance gave them a 5-1 win at Malta.
Scotland were being held 1-1 at half-time against the minnows in their World Cup Qualifiers opener in Group F, but four goals in the second half gave them a winning start.
Robert Snodgrass scored a hat-trick, added to by goals from Chris Martin and Steven Fletcher, and Strachan told Sky Sports the dominant win was down to character.
"I'm delighted, I would have come away with a 1-0. I don't know if anyone knows but Croatia came here last year and won 1-0, Italy came here in a friendly and won 1-0, Austria away they lost 2-1, so there's only one goal in it against right good sides. We've come here and scored five.
"After being 1-0 up and playing really well, losing a goal, that becomes a big moment in people's careers.
"Having to deal with the stress of the headlines of tomorrow, the pressure of the fans, you see it in front of you. Can you deal with it? They dealt with it terrifically well.
"Their ability, determination and mental strength more than anything. You see at 1-1 the headlines could be truly horrific.
"They were doing alright until it went to 1-1, and then we had a bit of a wobble. We spoke to them at half-time and they could clear their minds again. We weren't compact enough to pass through them.
"It was a good experience for the young boys. The squad has been freshened up, to start with a win, and it makes the journeys for friendlies - the Czech Republic, France and Italy away - all worthwhile."
Scotland host Lithuania and travel to Slovakia in October in Group F, before going to Wembley to face England on November 11.
