Scotland manager Craig Levein expects his side to continue their recent signs of improvement when they take on Denmark in a warm-up for their crucial Euro 2012 qualifier against the Czech Republic.
Levein’s faith in his players has improved dramatically since he deployed his infamous 4-6-0 formation in a 1-0 defeat in Prague in October last year. That increasing confidence will be tested against the Danes in Glasgow next month as Scotland prepare for a Hampden double-header against the Czechs and Lithuania which will define their play-off hopes.
He said: “It will be a tough game, I’m under no illusions. But we have improved a hell of a lot in the last year or so and I expect that improvement to continue.”
Denmark, who qualified for the 2010 World Cup, are ranked 21st in the world and sit level on points with Portugal and Norway at the top of their Euro 2012 qualification group.
Denmark’s squad includes Liverpool midfielder Christian Poulsen, former Ajax winger Dennis Rommedahl, now at Olympiakos, and Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner.
The Czechs are ranked 38th with the Scots in 61st place, so Levein has set up a testing encounter.
But he believes encouraging performances since the trip to Prague, which notably included a narrow defeat against Spain and comfortable victories over Northern Ireland and Wales, give his side hope of competing.
“We’re taking on a tough team,” Levein added. “You know that when you look at their squad, they have some well-known and exciting players in their team.
“As close to the Czech Republic match, I wanted a team with comparative ability and who play in a similar manner. Denmark certainly fit the bill.
“I think it’s an exciting game – they are doing as well as they have done in a while.”
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