Strachan not bothered by pink strip at Wembley

Scotland boss Gordon Strachan has told his team to forget the kit row that has broken out ahead of their Wembley clash with England and instead focus on proving they are fit enough to wear the jersey.

The Scots take on the Auld Enemy in a crucial World Cup qualifier a week on Friday.

But they will run out in London wearing their pink away kit after FIFA ruled their dark blue home jersey - which has white sleeves - would clash with England's white shirts.

The decision has angered the Tartan Army's traditionalists but Strachan could not care less.

What matters more to the national team boss is that his side put on a performance that gives them hope of reigniting their World Cup hopes after a disappointing start which has seen the Scots take just four points from their opening three games.

Asked for his thoughts on the strip saga, Strachan said: "It's not up to me that. I've played against England in a blue strip before and got beat.

"It's not what you put on. It's what's inside that strip which counts.

"It's not how you talk before the game, it's what you do on the pitch that counts.

"So the strip, the propaganda, it means nothing. It's what you get on the pitch, are you a team? Are you a good player? Do you want to take this challenge on?''

One man Strachan is delighted to see putting his hand up to take on that challenge is Scott Brown after the former skipper reversed his decision to retire from the international game.

The Celtic midfielder announced he was quitting on the eve of the qualifying campaign for Russia 2018 after admitting his Scotland commitments were taking a toll on his body.

But the added rest he has received in the two months since, combined with the zest he has rediscovered since linking up with new Parkhead boss Brendan Rodgers, has convinced Brown to give it another go.

Strachan, however, admits he does not know if it will be a one-game swansong or the start of a prolonged return.

"Scott decided to retire in August when he was in a different place to where he is now, a place where he was a bit worried about his fitness,'' said the manager, who confirmed that Darren Fletcher would hold on to the captaincy despite Brown's U-turn.

"Since then he has come back with a bang. He's now in a different place and we're delighted to have him back.

"After the England game itself, there will be a debrief and hopefully it's a debrief that we're all happy with.

After that we'll decide what the future is for everybody.

"At the moment we'll have a stronger midfield and that's a bonus for us because we'll need to be strong there, because we're going to play against a strong side.

"I think if you look at the England side there's energy in it, they look to win the ball back quickly. They're a formidable foe so we need all the best players we can get.''

The experience of Brown will be all the more vital if Robert Snodgrass fails to shake off the ankle injury threatening his place.

The Hull forward - who bagged a hat-trick in Scotland's opening Group H win over Malta - has been included in the squad but Strachan admits he is not sure if the 29-year-old will recover in time.

"I spoke to him a couple of days ago and he's desperate to be there,'' Strachan said.

"He's going to do everything that he can. First of all, he's got to get fit for his club and play with them because they need him at the moment, that's for sure.

"That's his first priority. Once that's out of the way then we'll get things together and see how fit he is. He wants to be in the squad, so that's why he is in.''

Definitely missing the London trip are injured left-backs Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney.

But Strachan is confident he has enough in reserve after calling up Swansea's Stephen Kingsley to compete with Rangers skipper Lee Wallace.

"It is frustrating for the players as they both really wanted to play and had been putting in really good performances recently,'' said Strachan, who could find no place for Gers winger Barrie McKay nor Stoke's Charlie Adam after naming a 25-man squad for next week's clash.

"But I will sleep well because I have Kingsley and Lee Wallace there.''