Hard work key for Scotland - Strachan

Gordon Strachan stressed the value of hard work after his Scotland side battled to a 1-0 friendly win over the Czech Republic at the Generali Arena in Prague.

The home side struck the woodwork before Watford winger Ikechi Anya put the Scots ahead on the break in the 10th minute when he latched on to a Ross McCormack pass and drove low past keeper Tomas Koubek.

The Czechs, who will be at the Euros this summer while the Tartan Army stay at home, fought back with pace and power but found Scotland keeper Allan McGregor in top form as he managed to keep the home side at bay with a string of saves in the first half, with his defence helping out after the break to hold out for a morale-boosting win.

Scotland face Denmark at Hampden Park on Tuesday night as Strachan continues his preparations for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, which begin later in the year, and he knows that a good work ethic will have to underpin their hopes of reaching Russia.

He said: 2They had to work hard. They did a double session the other day because we are not a great side but we can turn ourselves into a decent side by working hard. It was good for them.

"They keep learning and it was great learning from the first half to the second half, about how small things can change a game."

Strachan named two squads for the two friendly matches and he was extra pleased with the result given that several of his regulars are being kept for the Denmark game.

The former Celtic boss said: "There were a lot of players not here you would have expected to be here.

"It was a bit of a gamble when you come to places like this when you don't have a full squad.

"But the group made it a good night and they can all be proud of what they did, even the ones who didn't get on.

"The whole squad did themselves favours. We improved dramatically in the second half.

"I don't think anyone needs to worry about their performance, especially in the second half."