Scotland to face Poland in March friendly

Scotland will take on Poland in Warsaw on 5 March as they continue their preparations for the 2016 European Championship qualifiers.

Gordon Strachan's Scotland will face Poland in a March friendly. Picture: Greg Macvean

The match at Poland’s National Stadium is the first fixture to be arranged for Gordon Strachan’s side in 2014.

Strachan, whose team are unbeaten in four games following victories over Croatia, Macedonia and Norway and a draw with the USA, said: “We can all be encouraged by the strong finish to 2013 and the challenge now for us is to continue that momentum into next year.

“Poland will be a tough match, particularly in Warsaw, but it is exactly the type of contest we will need to overcome in the Euro Championship qualifiers.

“Between now and March, we will monitor the performances of our core squad members but also those who have performed really well in recent months and who have come to our attention. We are aware of their capabilities and we know there is a lot of excitement around some younger players who have emerged this season.

“If they continue to develop and demonstrate that form consistently then there will be opportunities throughout our preparations for the start of the Euro Championship qualifiers.”

Scotland’s last visit to Poland came in 2001 when they grabbed a 1-1 draw in Bydgoszcz, with current SFA youth coach Scott Booth scoring a penalty and Kenny Miller winning his first cap. But this will be the team’s first visit to Warsaw for 56 years. A double by Bobby Collins gave the visitors a 2-1 win in the 10th Anniversary Stadium in June, 1958.

Scotland will find out on 23 February who they will play in their Euro 2016 qualifying group.