Scotland boss Gordon Strachan insists he wouldn't know how to play for a draw even if he wanted to – and has said that he already knows what his starting XI will be for Saturday's massive Euro 2016 qualifying clash against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.
Strachan's men hold the advantage over Martin O'Neill's Boys in Green at present as they occupy the third place play-off spot in Group D, two points above their next opponents having already beaten Ireland once in the current campaign – the Tartan Army won 1-0 when the two sides met at Celtic Park in November.
The former Celtic boss described the previous game between the sides as “an occasion” which his players enjoyed more because they won, and he's hoping “a piece of magic” by somebody on the Scottish side will decide it once again. However, some observers believe the temptation is there for Scotland to play for a draw in the Aviva Stadium this weekend.
Strachan dismissed the thought out of hand, though, stating that this game could turn out to be “irrelevant” depending on how the current qualifying campaign ends, adding:
“I can't remember ever, any manager telling me – and that's going back 40 years – this is the way you play for a draw. I don't think I've ever come across [a manager who has tried it], I don't think I've tried it myself in a game.”
Continue reading Gordon Strachan's pre-match thoughts on Extratime.ie.
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