Malta vs Scotland - Gordon Strachan excited

Posted Sunday, September 04, 2016 by PA

Gordon Strachan aims to use the positive vibes of the Tartan Army to drive Scotland towards the World Cup finals.

The Scottish Football Association sold out its 4,500 allocation for the opening qualifier against Malta at the Ta'Qali Stadium on Sunday with a new campaign offering fans fresh hope that Scotland will end a 20-year wait to appear at a major tournament.

Strachan was persuaded to stay on after failure to reach the Euro 2016 campaign partly because of the response of travelling fans in Faro in their final group game against Gibraltar.

And that support is key to maintaining his enthusiasm ahead of a new campaign.

Strachan dismissed comments that there was a sense of pessimism among many in Scotland over his team's qualifying chances and said: "I get (optimism) from the staff and the players especially, but the fans have been absolutely brilliant.

"We have taken our allocation of 4,500 and 12,5000 stood in the pouring rain against Gibraltar congratulating the players on their efforts. When you add that together, it's really quite positive.

"I have been excited for a while, the last couple of weeks, and it's built up even more since we met up on Tuesday. Working with good players and good professionals helps that.

"You have to fit the system, you have to bring ability, you have to bring positivity to the group, playing or not playing, just like Lee Wallace did this week.

"He was injured when he came along but he was positive, he helped us. He didn't drain us in any way."

Strachan has added the likes of Oliver Burke, John McGinn, Barrie McKay and Kieran Tierney to his squad since finishing fourth behind Germany, Poland and Republic of Ireland, although the Celtic left-back misses out through injury in Malta.

"We also had four hard friendlies and it's allowed us to bring in new faces," he said. "It was a bit of a gamble taking on so many good sides but I'm sure it will benefit Scottish football in the long run."

Scotland have, on paper, a much less challenging task than their recent friendlies against Czech Republic, Denmark, France and Italy but Strachan rubbished the FIFA rankings system that has Malta at 176th in the world, pointing to recent one-goal defeats by Austria, Croatia and Italy, twice.

"I don't know where the rankings come from," he said. "That's a nonsense. I don't know what computer works it out but I would take it back and get it fixed.

"We have watched their games against top sides and the players realise it will be a right hard game.

"I actually think that most people that know anything about football, and I mean anything, they realise this will not be easy."

Malta head coach Pietro Ghedin has described Scotland as a "perfect" team and claimed his men have a mountain to climb in their opening World Cup qualifier.

"Scotland can give me a big problem," said Ghedin, who hinted he would continue with his 5-3-2 formation depending on one or two unnamed injury concerns.

"First of all they have improved a lot, they play very well. I have watched many games, they have good players, most of them are playing in England for good teams.

"I am very surprised because they have a lot of heart to play football but they have improved a lot with their technical skill. They play really well, I am very surprised.

"They have a good style, quick players, good wingers, good full-backs, good strikers. Perfect."