Morrison: Ideal time to play World Champions

Playing Germany away in their opening 2016 Euro qualifier comes at the worst of times and the best of times for Scotland, according to midfielder James Morrison.

Gordon Strachan’s squad assembled at their Mar Hall base on the outskirts of Glasgow at the weekend ahead of the trip to Dortmund for the Group D match against the World Cup winners on Sunday night.

The 28-year-old West Brom player is aware of the task that awaits the Scots but at the same time he is encouraged by the progress made under Gordon Strachan since he took over from Craig Levein in January last year.

The 2-2 friendly draw with Nigeria in London in May stretched Scotland’s unbeaten run to six matches and Morrison believes a new epoch of belief means the time could be right for qualification to the finals of a major tournament for the first time since 1998.

He said: “It is the worst start that we could probably have had but on the other hand, it is probably the best time to play them, coming off a victory that they probably celebrated for two weeks solid as I think I would.

“I am very excited. It is our best opportunity (to qualify) for as long as I have been involved, certainly. We have a good, strong group and in the past we have done well against big teams. With the year we’ve had, it is our best opportunity of qualifying, no questions about that, and I think we are all excited for the challenge ahead.

“Since I was a kid I wanted to play in a major tournament. Speaking for the whole squad, that is the aim, that is what the fans and everyone involved with the team aims to do and we are pulling towards that this season.”