MX23RW : Thursday, January 30 02:22:38| >> :600:4026850:4026850:

Steven Naismith: 'Gordon Strachan has given us more freedom'

Scotland striker Steven Naismith believes that the team's improved form is down to them being afforded more freedom by manager Gordon Strachan.

Scotland striker Steven Naismith has claimed that his side's improved recent form is down to the freedom afforded to them by manager Gordon Strachan.

The Tartan Army missed out on World Cup qualification but raised hopes of being able to reach the European Championships in 2016 with a strong end to their campaign.

Strachan's side have now won four and drawn one of their last five matches, including a surprise 2-0 win over Croatia in October, and Naismith believes that a subtle change of tactics is the reason behind the results.

"The manager has given us the freedom to go and play when we've got the ball rather than worrying about the opponents and what they're going to do," he is quoted as saying by PA.

"We know what we need to do defensively but when we have the ball players are changing positions and making runs more now. That creates opportunities and we're creating more chances."

Scotland will look to extend their unbeaten run to six games when they face Nigeria at Craven Cottage on Wednesday.

ID:156965: cacheID:156965:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2021:
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Scotland manager Gordon Strachan faces the media during a press conference at Sopwell House on August 13, 2013
Read Next:
Scotland to face Nigeria in May
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool22165154213353
2Arsenal23138244212347
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2313553327644
4Manchester CityMan City23125647301741
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle23125641271441
6Chelsea23117545301540
7Bournemouth23117541261540
8Aston Villa2310763435-137
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2381053531434
10Fulham238963431333
11Brentford2394104240231
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd2385102832-429
13Crystal Palace236982630-427
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2376102844-1627
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs2373134637924
16Everton225891928-923
17Leicester CityLeicester2345142549-2417
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2344153252-2016
19Ipswich TownIpswich2337132147-2616
20Southampton2313191653-376


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!