Barry Robson is right behind Craig Levein's plans to play as many friendly games as possible as he looks forward to Scotland's clash with Cyprus in Larnaca on Friday night.
The Scots' boss believes lack of match practise hampered his side in the Euro 2012 qualifiers where they failed again to reach the finals of a major tournament. To that end Levein aims to play four challenge matches before the 2014 World Cup qualification campaign begins next year, a schedule which finds agreement with the Middlesbrough midfielder.
"The more games the better," he said. "I have always been a big believer in it. I know the club managers are maybe not so keen because we play a lot of games but I think it helps."
He added: "The more games you get, the better you get to know players and everyone enjoys coming away with their country, it is a big thing for a footballer."
Robson, 33, admits the World Cup finals in Brazil is likely to be his last chance to appear on the big stage for Scotland.
The oldest member of Levein's squad made his Scotland debut in a friendly against South Africa in August, 2007, and he is determined to keep his younger team-mates at bay to get there.
"It could be my last chance - it probably will be because I am getting older," he added. "But we have some other older boys in the squad and you need a balance between the older heads (and younger ones).
"I still feel fit and fresh and I am looking forward to the campaign coming. It is only 10 months away and it is an exciting time.
"It is good to see the younger kids coming through and see how buoyant and excited they are, they bring a freshness to it all. But I think I am even hungrier. As you get older you want to stay there and you want to prove yourself and want to prove that the young upstarts are not as good as a lot of the old ones.
"So it's great for me and the other older players to see the other young boys coming through, it just drives you on even more."
Source: PA
