Levein relies on McGregor heroics

The trouble is that Scotland might have to defeat Spain this evening to clinch second place over Czech Republic, who, ahead of their own clash with Lithuania this evening, stand a point further behind. To reach the play-offs, Scotland must match or better the Czechs’ result.

The man whose who perhaps bears the greatest burden of responsibility tonight, after manager Craig Levein, will be goalkeeper Allan McGregor, who is expected to face superstar strikers David Villa and Fernando Torres in the Spanish attack.

Despite that daunting prospect, Levein has been impressed by McGregor’s calm demeanour ahead of the Rangers players biggest test to date and insisted he had every confidence in him.

“Allan might have to make a dozen brilliant saves tomorrow,” he said. “That’s a fact. I am confident that Allan McGregor can make a dozen brilliant saves.

“Spain probably have to under perform and we have to have 11 players at the top of their game. Any game of football, or any sport, where one team is favourites and another team are underdogs, for the result to be a surprise the favourites have to under perform and the underdogs have to raise their game. That’s what we intend to do.”

Levein has much to ponder as he weighs up whether to start with Barry Bannan in midfield. The Aston Villa midfielder has a gashed Achilles and might be considered a luxury item in any case as Scotland seek to curb their opponents’ attacking intentions.

“The question for me is over Bannan, and whether he plays or not,” said Levein yesterday. “That is the one I am not 100 per cent sure about. He has not had a boot on yet because of this cut he has on the back of his heel. Any rubbing will just open it up. So the doctor will have to try to come up with something that can prevent this rubbing on the cut.”

Kenny Miller is thought to be losing his battle to be fit which means Craig Mackail-Smith will hope to contribute another headline performance in attack following his match-winning contribution to Saturday’s 1-0 win in Liechtenstein, providing he has overcome a niggling hamstring strain.

The manager reported on a strong sense of belief within the squad and stressed the importance of the one thing he knows he can count on - commitment.

“I know that, from the very first whistle until the end, they will give me their best,” he said. “They won’t chuck it, they won’t be overwhelmed, they won’t feel scared of anything.”

Asked what success here in Alicante might do for his own career, Levein said: “That’s not in my thoughts. There is a game to be played and we are trying to jump ahead of the game and talk about things which happened afterwards. It’s as big a task facing these players than for any Scotland team for a while, but jumping ahead to the conclusion for me is counter productive.

“I just want to focus completely on what we can do in the game.”

There is, however, one major distraction happening at the same time in Lithuania, where Czech Republic need to better Scotland’s result in Spain in order to progress. The scenario evokes memories of Euro 96, when Scotland, on the verge of going through as they settled for a 1-0 win over Switzerland, came unstuck due a late consolation goal from the Netherlands against England. Levein has made arrangements to remain informed.

“They [the players] don’t need to know, but I need to know,” said Levein. “We are catered for that. We are not going to rely on the fans: is that a cheer we heard? We are linked up with computers so we will know exactly what is going on.”