Scotland boss Craig Levein calls for defensive strength
Scotland national team coach Craig Levein has called on his players to be stern in defence when they play in the UEFA 2012 European Football Championship qualifying match against Czech Republic on Friday.
The Czechs are struggling in the group. Having lost to Lithuania in their first qualifying match, they are also behind Scotland and reigning World and European champions, Spain.
Levein believes that Czech Republic will be looking to kick-start their qualifying campaign against his side, and believes that he has enough strength at the back to thwart the threat of Milan Baros, Roman Bednar and Tomas Rosicky.
He told reporters that, “They have started their campaign with what, in their eyes, is a pretty disappointing result. I'm pretty sure they would have marked the home game against Lithuania as a win, so they are chasing it a little bit and I feel that if
we can do our jobs properly, particularly defensively, then we can put added pressure on them."
The former Dundee United boss added that he thought the Czechs would provide stern opposition in Prague. “This is an extremely difficult game for us. They were extremely unlucky against Lithuania. They missed a barrow-load of chances, a penalty and there
was some great goalkeeping. So they are a top class side."
But Scotland’s defence may not quite be as strong as Levein would have hoped for. He will not be able to call upon Lee McCulloch for the clash with the Czechs, since the Rangers defensive midfielder is suspended. Kirk Broadfoot has also left the squad due
to a foot injury.
Meanwhile, Levein faces a goalkeeper problem as first-choice Craig Gordon is not fully fit, and deputy Allan McGregor is suffering from a minor thigh injury.
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