Scotland manager Craig Levein has insisted that World Cup qualification is a marathon and not a sprint, with plenty of points still to play for.

Levein said that although he shared the frustrations of the fans after Scotland's opening 0-0 draw against Serbia, the reaction by the media has been "hysterical".

"Nobody is more aware of the fact we need three points in this game than me," the Guardian quotes Levein as saying.

"I have been a wee bit annoyed at the kind of hysterical reaction after Saturday. There were 30 points to play for, we got one on Saturday and there are still 27 to play for.

"There are a lot of points to go. For me it is all about the long game and picking up points."

Scotland's next qualifying game is on Tuesday night at home to Macedonia.