Scotland to face Australia and Luxembourg in friendly matches

Scotland will host Australia at Easter Road on 15 August in their final warm-up before the World Cup qualifiers begin and will then face Luxembourg away on 14 November.

The Scottish Football Association had already confirmed a friendly against the USA in Jacksonville, Florida on 26 May.

Levein said: “I’m delighted to finalise our full schedule of matches for 2012. The match against Australia will be our first on home soil this year, and comes directly before two World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Macedonia at Hampden in September.

“Just last year, Australia defeated another of our Group A opponents, Wales, in Cardiff, and have been in good form in their own qualifiers, so I have no doubt that they will provide us with a tough test.

“We’re all excited about the opportunity to play in front of a home crowd at Easter Road, after two important away fixtures. We then hope to round off a positive year on a high note with another away friendly in Luxembourg.

“I’m sure that many of our supporters will relish the opportunity to visit the country for the first time in 25 years, and we’re all looking forward to the same fantastic backing that we received in Slovenia last week.”

The Australia game comes immediately after the Olympics, with the final of the men’s football tournament falling on Saturday, 11 August. The Scotland squad usually meet up on Sunday night.

The SFA have encouraged Scotland players not to accept Team GB invites but they do not plan any sanctions should anyone go against their wishes.

Scotland also face Wales and Belgium away in October in World Cup qualifiers.

Australia and Scotland first met 27 years ago in emotional circumstances. Following the death of Scotland manager Jock Stein during the final World Cup 1986 qualifying match against Wales, his assistant Alex Ferguson led the side into the play-off against Australia. Goals from Davie Cooper and Frank McAvennie sealed a Scotland victory at Hampden on 20 November 1985, while a 0-0 draw in Melbourne on 4 December was enough to send Scotland to the World Cup finals in Mexico.

The two sides have since met in two friendly matches at Hampden Park. Ally McCoist got the winning goal in a 1-0 victory on 27 March 1996, while Brett Emerton and David Zdrilic sealed a 2-0 win for Australia on 15 November 2000.

Scotland last faced Luxembourg in the qualifiers for the 1988 European Championship. Andy Roxburgh’s side secured a 3-0 win at Hampden on 12 November 1986, with goals courtesy of Davie Cooper (2) and Mo Johnston. A 0-0 draw then followed at La Frontière, Esch-sur-Alzette on 2 December 1987. Neither side reached the finals in West Germany, with only Group 7 winners Republic of Ireland sealing qualification for the eight-team tournament.

USA v Scotland 26 May

Friendly (EverBank Field, Jacksonville)

Scotland v Australia 15 August

Friendly (Easter Road)

Scotland v Serbia 8 September

World Cup qualifier (Hampden Park)

Scotland v Macedonia 11 September

World Cup qualifier (Hampden Park)

Wales v Scotland 12 October

World Cup qualifier (venue TBC)

Belgium v Scotland 16 October

World Cup qualifier (venue TBC)

Luxembourg v Scotland 14 November

Friendly (Stade Jose Barthel)