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| Gordon Strachan lays into his players |
GORDON STRACHAN admitted Scotland’s poor passing and lack of strength let them down as they flopped in Georgia.
Valeri Kazaishvili put the home side in front in the 37th minute, and the Scots’ only effort on target was a deflected cross from Charlie Mulgrew in the second half.
Strachan said: “We didn’t do enough to win the game.
“The game looked like a draw but if you get the first goal life is a lot simpler. We had to play catch-up when we lost the goal. Before that, apart from one break, I didn’t see any problems. I felt comfortable.
“I was looking to get to half-time and tell them to up the tempo and think about a couple of things.
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| Scotland players dejected after defeat to Georgia |
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| Steve Fletcher struggled in front of goal for Scotland |
“Then they scored and put on a great defensive show and got behind the ball.
“I thought we were a couple of yards away with our passes and intricate moves to try and get through, because we don’t have the physical presence to fight them for a goal.
“The lads were brave on the ball but maybe just a wee bit now and then, a foot or two here and there, we couldn’t get through.”
Nukri Revishvili’s only save came from Mulgrew’s cross but Strachan said: “We can’t just throw balls in there, we are not big enough or strong enough. We have to work our way in.
“You only need one of those balls at somebody’s feet and you’ve got a chance.
“We just have to accept we have to do better the next time with a couple of passes and be more precise.”
Leigh Griffiths would have been many people’s pick to start against Georgia given his good form for Celtic.
But his arrival as a substitute 15 minutes from time gave him little chance of making a difference.
He said: “It wasn’t the best of games and it was disappointing to lose the game.
“But there are still nine points to play for.
“We felt we did enough to get something. Maybe not enough to get all three points, but definitely a draw.
“We were putting pressure on them towards the end.
“There was a header which flashed just past the post.”
The Celtic hitman added: “As a striker, you want to have chances to get back in the game.
“But to their credit the Georgians minimised the space in behind.
“It was just one of the things we have to take on the chin.”
The Scots now face Germany in Glasgow on Monday in a match they can’t afford to lose.
Griffiths added: “It’s at Hampden Park and we have beaten the best there before.
“We got good results against France, Holland, Italy. A draw against Germany as well.
“I don’t see why we can’t get something on Monday.
“Teams come to Hampden and tend to raise their game a bit. I don’t know why. But now we just have to look to get the three points.”
Georgia manager Kakhaber Tskhadadze felt his side’s second win in Group D was a major step forward.
He said: “It was important for our self-belief to win because it’s teams of Scotland’s quality that will be competing for places in major finals.”
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