GORDON STRACHAN has been credited with breathing new life into a Scotland squad which was gasping for air.

Only two points from the first four games in the battle to qualify for Brazil 2014 has seen most critics deliver the last rites on the chances of this group of players flying the flag in Rio.

Now after throwing the shackles off his new charges in a first-game victory over Estonia, the new Scotland manager has two fixtures – against Wales and Serbia – to kickstart a miracle recovery.

Strachan's optimism is matched by his realism. The teetotaller acknowledges they are in the last chance saloon.

But he has tempered it by repeatedly reminding the men around him he believes they are better than their position at the foot of the qualifying group suggests.

Now, when the whistle goes to resume competitive action against Wales at Hampden on Friday night, it will be down to the players to show they have truly bought into Strachan's brave new world (cup), and that they can resurrect their ailing qualification chances.

Robert Snodgrass is one of the men Strachan believes can help right the badly-listing ship.

And the Norwich attacking midfielder will be happy to accept the challenge of trying to drag Scotland back into the race for Rio.

He said: "If you aren't mentally and physically driven for these games, then there's no point being a footballer.

"It should not take a manager to try and gee you up. You should be ready anyway, in my opinion.

"The manager will do his bit. But as soon as you cross that white line, it's up to you as a player to affect the game."

That's the kind of determination which has brought 25-year-old Snodgrass to the squad, and to Strachan's attention.

He got huge praise from the manager for his performance when he came on against Estonia, and Strachan will look to harness his energy and enthusiasm again against the Welsh.

"You don't care how you win," said Snodgrass. "You could interview 20 of these lads, and they'll tell you the exact same thing.

"Winning is winning, and it's the best feeling.

"If we win on Friday, it gives us a good bit of confidence going into the Serbia game, and belief we can maybe try and get something over there.

"We're looking forward to it. It's a big task – but we're ready for it."

Scotland need to be because any more ground lost on the group leaders will render the rest of the qualification programme – which includes two games against favourites Croatia – a warm-up for the next European Championships.

Snodgrass reflected: "Croatia are nine points ahead of us, so it's a big ask to qualify.

"But I thoroughly believe the lads have that head on that we can do it.

"The manager will be thinking of Croatia as the best team in the group. He's just in the door and he'll be thinking of how to approach that first game against them in the summer.

"But we need to get these two games out of the way first.

"Wales will be no easy opponents. They proved that when they came back and beat us in Cardiff, so it will be a big ask.

"But we're mentally prepared for the challenges ahead."

Snodgrass – who will win only his ninth cap if selected to face Gareth Bale and Co – wants to build on the feel-good factor generated by Strachan's first game in charge last month.

"The Estonia game was especially important for the new manager to see which players can do what," he said.

"I'm sure he'd have watched some closely leading up to these games.

"I'd like to get a regular start with Scotland, but there are another 20 lads thinking the same thing.

"You just need to do your best at club level."

THE strongest suit of Snodgrass is his willingness to exploit any weakness in the opposition.

Strachan also appreciates his selfless approach to the game, having always insisted you need to be a good team-mate, no matter how your day is going.

"I like to try and attack but, in the five years I've been in England, I've learned to work hard for the team," said the former Livingston, Stirling Albion and Leeds man.

"People speak about individuals, but you need to be part of a team if things aren't going so well.

"Since going south, I've added that to my game, and that's why I've played nearly 300 games in England.

"In that regard, managers trust you."

Strachan can be added to that list, and Snodgrass wants to build an even stronger relationship with him.

The man who scored against Denmark on his first start at Hampden said: "I haven't worked a lot with the new manager. Some lads have, but I haven't.

"I'll find out more about him and he'll find out a lot more about me.

"The manager has said he wants to pass the ball and have people who are confident on it, take touches and play.

"That's what I like doing. Hopefully, I can get a chance to do that."