Gary Teale is confident of Germany upset

Gary Teale in action for Scotland. Picture: TSPL

But the St Mirren player/coach reckons the Dark Blues might have a chance of another upset if Germany’s post-World Cup hangover continues.

Joachim Low’s side have lost the retired trio of skipper Philipp Lahm, record-breaking striker Miroslav Klose and Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker since lifting the biggest prize in football two months ago.

They were then stunned by Argentina on Wednesday as La Albiceleste gained revenge for their defeat in the Maracana final with a 4-2 romp in Dusseldorf.

Since then, Mesut Ozil, Mats Hummels and Julian Draxler have joined new captain Bastian Schweinsteiger on the injury list ahead of Sunday’s opening Euro 2016 qualifier with Gordon Strachan’s side in Dortmund.

1-0 victory

But Teale - who played in that famous 1-0 victory over Les Blues in Glasgow, sealed by Gary Caldwell’s second-half winner - claims it may be the emotional roller-coaster ride the home side are currently riding on which hands Scotland their big chance.

He told Press Association Sport: “Germany have lost an awful lot of guys since the World Cup. Maybe those changes will play into our hands, maybe it won’t.

“They have got good continuity in their squad. The guys coming in to replace the likes of Lahm and Klose have been in about the squad for a few years now.

“They will know how the team prepares and sets up, so perhaps the changes won’t make too much of a difference.

Comedown

“The only thing that does go in our favour is the fact that they might be on a comedown after the World Cup.

“You don’t really get any bigger high that what those guys achieved in Brazil so maybe they might experience a wee hangover in their first competitive game back.

“They have already lost against Argentina in this week’s friendly so hopefully they are still suffering come Sunday.”

Teale was earning just the fifth of his 13 caps when he helped Scotland gun down Euro 2008 qualification rivals France - sparking wild celebrations in the Glasgow rain.

The Hampden visitors had just finished runners-up to Italy - who were also drawn in qualifying group B - at the 2006 World Cup in Germany but Scotland left a team comprising the likes of Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet and Franck Ribery stunned.

But while former Dark Blues skipper Paul McStay reckons Scotland should focus on the games that follow Sunday’s Dortmund test, Teale insists Strachan’s men should look to take on the German superstars on their own patch.

Believing they can win it

He said: “I can see where Paul is coming from but ask any footballer and they will tell you they go into every game believing they can win it.

“If you go in expecting to lose then what is the point turning up in the first place?

“Okay, when you play the world champions you are not really expected to get a result but you have to be confident in your own ability, the manager’s game plan and believe you can get something.

“I know what the boys will be feeling like right now. No-one expected us to beat France but we did and it was a phenomenal achievement considering where both countries where at that time. It was it is right up there with the biggest achievements I’ve managed in my career but I always felt we could do something that day.

“A wee repeat this weekend would be excellent.

“In some ways it might actually be easier for the lads playing over there. Although Germany will always be the favourites, when you play at home you always have that expectation on you to come out and have a go. But playing in Dortmund, the lads will be able to stick exactly to Gordon’s plan without getting carried away.”