Georgia v Scotland: Willie Miller urges Scots to have calm heads

By Kenny CrawfordBBC Sport Scotland
This is Scotland's seventh game out of 10 in Group D
The match in Georgia is Scotland's seventh game out of 10 in Group D
Euro 2016 qualifying: Georgia v Scotland
Date: Friday, 4 September Venue: Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena, Tiblisi Kick-off: 17:00 BST
Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio Scotland 810MW/online; live text commentary on BBC Sport website

Former international Willie Miller hopes Scotland can stay focused in their qualifier against Georgia despite an eagerness to reach Euro 2016.

The national side have not qualified for a major tournament since 1998.

"We are desperate to get back on to the big stage but desperation doesn't win football games," Miller told BBC Radio Scotland.

"You've got to play with a calm head and I'm sure Gordon Strachan will emphasise that to his players."

Willie Miller's Georgia-Scotland preview

Centre-back Miller was capped 65 times for Scotland, who sit third in Group D behind Poland and Germany.

"The team are playing well, there's no doubt about that," said Miller, who spent all of his playing career with Aberdeen.

"There seems to be a lot of confidence, belief and trust within the camp, so everything points to at least a good performance.

"We've got to look to take the full three points but it's going to have to be a top-class performance. If you're looking to qualify automatically in the top two places, then I think three points is essential.

"If we can get that it sets us up perfectly for the game against Germany on Monday. But a draw wouldn't be a bad result either and it would still give us an opportunity of qualification."

Willie Miller won 65 Scotland caps between 1975 and 1989
Willie Miller won 65 Scotland caps between 1975 and 1989

Strachan revealed on Thursday that he had already decided on his starting XI to face Georgia in Tblisi, although he had not disclosed it to the players at that stage.

Whether Sunderland's Steven Fletcher or Celtic's Leigh Griffiths begins the game as the central striker is one main talking point.

"I think Gordon Strachan will go with Steven Fletcher, initially anyway," added Miller.

"He's the type of player who can hold the ball up. But I wouldn't discount Leigh Griffiths playing a part in the game."

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