Houston defends Scots approach

Dundee United boss Peter Houston has defended Scotland's controversial no-striker formation that saw them lose 1-0 to the Czech Republic in Prague on Friday night.

And Craig Levein's assistant has warned supporters that they may have to regularly accept a more defensive approach from their national side whenever they do battle in Europe.

However, they could still decide on a different set-up in their latest European Championship qualifier against World Champions Spain at Hampden Park tomorrow.

"Would we play that way against Spain? If we thought it was right for any game then you go with your beliefs," Houston told the Daily Record. "Loads of people might think it's the right way and loads of people might think it's the wrong way.

"As a manager now myself at club level I realise no matter what my backroom staff say to me or what the fans are thinking, I will go with what I think is the best way to win a game," he continued.

"We're set up as a nation to counter-attack and if I'm being brutally honest, Scottish football supporters probably need to get used to the fact this is the way our teams will go about trying to get results. When you're playing top sides that's what you need to do."

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