Gordon Strachan upbeat about Euro 2016 qualification despite Germany loss

07 September 2015 21:47

Boss Gordon Strachan insists Scotland can still reach the European Championships in France next summer despite their 3-2 defeat against Germany at Hampden Park leaving them chasing a play-off spot at best.

The Scots went into the interval level after coming from behind twice with a Mats Hummels own goal and James McArthur strike cancelling out a Thomas Muller double.

But Ilkay Gundogan's 54th-minute strike proved to be the winner for the world champions.

And with two Group D qualifying fixtures left for the Scots - second-placed Poland at home and minnows Gibraltar away - they remain in fourth place, four points behind Republic of Ireland and cannot finish in the top two automatic qualifying places.

The Scotland boss said: "Let's get this straight. We are still in this. Trust me, we are still in this.

"If we play like that, with sheer determination, with a wee bit of luck - we never had that tonight but they went through that pain barrier.

"But we are still in this and I can't wait to get them back together to go again in the next two games.

"I am really proud of them and they should be proud of themselves.

"There are a couple of occasions in my managerial career when I get happy or sad but this time I actually feel for the players.

"Over two games, they have put in some amount of work. They are disappointed in there.

"Sometimes football is more than what you drink or eat, or drink, it is what in inside you.

"We kept coming back against the world champions and they can be proud of their performance."

Source: PA