European Qualifiers: Gordon Strachan in positive mood ahead of Germany clash
Sunday 7 September 2014 14:24, UK
Gordon Strachan is feeling confident ahead of the start of Scotland's European Championship qualifying campaign in Germany on Sunday.
The Scots face the world champions in Dortmund on a run of six games unbeaten and, although they are big outsiders to beat Joachim Low's side, Strachan believes there is a positive atmosphere around the camp that wasn't there when he took over from Craig Levein.
"I would have felt a bit different a year ago, before we played Croatia away," Strachan said.
"Since then the group have become more comfortable with each other, more understanding, and the players we have brought into the squad have definitely added to the squad.
"Best time to play Germany? I just think for us it is a good time for us to play together. We are in a good place.
"We are respectful of Germany, we understand how good they are, but we are happy with what we have been doing in the last year at least.
"The players will know what is required from them."
Germany's side will be much-changed from the one that won the World Cup final a couple of months ago, but Strachan is not reading much into that, or their 4-2 defeat by Argentina in midweek.
"I have heard a lot of people talking about it but it changes nothing for us," Strachan said.
"This will be Germany's first competitive match after being world champions and we know what to expect.
"Yes they have a few players retired and a few players missing but we expect a fully fit, top class Germany team.
"To prepare for it any differently would be a mistake. The players who they have lost are experienced and it can be a blow.
"It takes time for players who come in to establish themselves in a team. But when we are talking about the strength and depth that Germany have, I don't think it is going to be a problem as you might think.
"We hope it is but they are world champions, they are going to have great confidence from that and even the players that come in, they will be expecting them to play at their level and prove that they are ready."
Watch Scotland take on Germany in Dortmund live on Sky Sports 5 on Sunday - coverage starts at 7:15pm.
