Peter Houston

The Scotland assistant boss admitted that the squad was disappointed with the result but believed that the side was “unlucky to lose to a goal from a set play”. He also stressed that his players had “worked their socks off” in the hope of getting a result.

The Scotland manager Craig Levein was heavily criticised for the negative approach in Prague, where he adopted a 4-6-0 formation in the hope of picking up a point. The plan backfired when the Czechs scored the only goal of the game in the 70th minute but Houston stressed that he thought Scotland were unfortunate in defeat.

He highlighted the fact that the Scots rarely concede a goal from a set play but also stressed that the game is now “over and done with” and that he is looking forward to facing world champions Spain at Hampden Park on Tuesday evening (Scotland 13/2, draw 10/3, Spain 1/3).

Defending Levein’s tactics, he said: “The only regret we’ve got is that we’ve lost the game. It’s over and done with now, we can’t look back, we’ve got to look forward and what a way to look forward – playing Spain at Hampden.

“We’ve got to put that to bed and start to think positively and take something from that match.

“We are keen to play the world champions in what will be a difficult game. Footballers like to play at the top level and nobody is better than the world champions.”

Scotland have four major doubts ahead of the clash, with Tottenham defender Alan Hutton, Wigan centre-back Gary Caldwell, West Brom midfielder Graham Dorrans and Rangers utility man Steven Whittaker all missing Sunday’s training session.

However, Houston has admitted “the majority, if not all” would be available for selection on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Scotland were handed a boost when Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher was fit to train after suffering a knock against the Czechs.

Caldwell participated in Prague for 75 minutes and Houston has not dismissed the possibility of him making back-to-back appearances. If he does, it will be a major achievement as Friday was his first action for club or country this season following a hip operation.

Speaking about Caldwell, Houston stressed: “He has been feeling good, he knows he’s been out for a while but nobody knows his body better than himself, and he was keen to do something today and he’s putting himself up for selection.”

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Hodgson has come in for some criticism for the Reds’ slow start to the Premier League season – his side have won just one of their first four games – but the former Fulham chief is satisfied with the way his tenure has begun overall.

Liverpool have successfully negotiated two qualifying rounds of the Europa League to make it into the group stage and a record of five wins from eight competitive games in total means the boss is upbeat ahead of the Anfield clash against the Romanian side.

“We’ve played eight, won five, drawn two and lost one so far in all competitions – I don’t think that’s a bad start to the season by any stretch of the imagination,” he said.

“It’s a new team and a tough start to the season in terms of the programme. Like lots of teams at the moment, we’ve got less points than we would like and we’re firmly stuck in a group of teams between four and six points, which basically takes into account 90 per cent of the league at the moment.”

On this evening’s game, where Hodgson could bring back Joe Cole (9/2 first goalscorer), Ryan Babel, Sotirios Kyrgiakos and hand Raul Merieles his first start, the Liverpool chief admits he will make several changes.

“I shall make changes to the team for the game against Steaua. There’s no question of that – it’s something I’ve planned all along.

“I don’t think there is any point of having a squad of 25 players, many of whom are internationals, and then just trying to play the same 11 every game.

“It’s going to be important to keep everybody on board and it’s also important for me to get to know players better. I learn a lot from games and I learn a lot about the players because I’ve not had an awful lot of time working with some of them who were at the World Cup.”

Next up for Liverpool is one of the games of the season with a Premier League trip to take on bitter rivals Manchester United on Sunday.

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France

Les Bleus had Thierry Henry and Florent Malouda on the bench for the game, and the latter expressed his frustration later at only being used as a substitute.

However, Evra does not thing a drastic overhaul is needed for the Group A game against Mexico on Thursday (4/9 France – To Qualify).

“What would I change for the next game? Score a goal!” said Evra.

“We will keep going, create a lot of chances and be strong like we were in the first match, because I don’t think Uruguay caused a lot of problems for us.

“We need to create more chances to score goals. I think the tactics were okay for us.

“We talked with the boss before the game and we were very happy with these tactics. It is not the first time we’ve played like that. Maybe against Mexico we can change things around, we’ll see.

“Now, against Mexico, we need to win and we’ll see after that in the match against South Africa (what we need).”

Meanwhile, France goalscoring legend Just Fontaine says he is struggling to see the side scoring goals during the tournament.

Fontaine, whose record of 13 goals in a tournament from 1958 still stands, is confident none of the current players are about to pass that mark.

“It’s not because of any of the strikers I saw in France-Uruguay that I’m going to be shaking,” said Fontaine.

“Anelka continues to come back, which meant the the three Uruguay centres were gifted, so much so that there wasn’t a single shot from 25 metres, only rugby conversions!

“I think Domenech should have taken off Anelka well before. He never left behind one or two of the three centres on crosses, didn’t catch a single ball with his head.

“During the match someone said that he had leaden feet. Well the head too then.

“Ribery? One day, we made the stupidity of saying that he was the brains of the team and since then he has believed it. He dribbles past seven players but then the eighth one takes the ball off him.

“Gourcuff? He’s lost. He is tired following his season, he is less lively and above all, he doesn’t know who to give the ball to, since Anelka plays behind him!

“I’m not optimistic. I hope they’ll prove me a liar. But…”

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