Scotland assistant coach Peter Houston say the national side should look to be playing countries which present a challenge rather than play friendlies against less successful nations. Scotland will be heading to Florida to take on the USA on Sunday 27 May and are aware that the latest FIFA rankings show the hosts to be sitting in 29th spot. Scotland are a bit behind them in 48th spot, with the statistics suggesting they face a tough game on Sunday. However, having also faced the likes of the Czech Republic, Brazil and - most recently - Slovenia in international friendly games, manager Craig Levein is not one to shy away from a challenge. Houston believes a policy of taking on real challenges can only help Scotland ahead of the World Cup qualifiers when the action begins for real against Serbia in September. The Dundee United manager said: "You always learn more if you're playing against better teams than you do from winning games 4-0 or 5-0. I'm the same as a club manager in pre-season, I don't see the point in playing German Fifth Division teams and winning 11-0. I don't think you learn anything from that. The USA are a very good side, with a lot of good players and a lot of players who are playing all over the world. I'm a great believer - very much the same as Craig - that you learn more from playing against the better teams. You never like to lose games but results aren't the most important thing at this particular moment in time. Everything should be geared towards the first game." While World Cup qualification is the current target, Houston has welcomed the possibility of Scotland launching a joint bid to host EURO2020 by joining forces with Wales and the Republic of Ireland. Houston would be in favour of Scotland pushing ahead with the Euro 2020 bid, adding: "It would be a dream for us. Whether it can come to fruition or not, I don't know. It's certainly something we would love to see. Hopefully we've got enough stadia and hopefully it's a serious bid." However, Houston would prefer to qualify for a major tournament on the players efforts long before then. Scotland have not qualified for a major finals since the World Cup on France '98. Houston said: "You would like to qualify on merit. We are disappointed we are not in the European Championships this summer but we have learned a lot and I think Craig, as well, has learned a lot since he took over. You see a picture now of what it's all about. We've got some very tough matches now in the World Cup but there's nothing to say you can't do well. We have a group of players who have come through and developed, the manager has done a fine job with finding some new players as well."
Source: FOOTYMAD
