THE last time Scotland played an end-of- season friendly, they crashed 5-1 in Florida.

The humiliation hastened Craig Levein's departure from the manager's chair as the subsequent World Cup qualifying campaign got off to a horror start.

Fast forward two years, and the man who replaced him, Gordon Strachan, confirms lessons have been learned.

Which is why requests to travel to South America to face World Cup-bound opposition were rejected and a game against Nigeria at Craven Cottage accepted.

Ahead of the Euro 2016 qualifiers kicking off in the autumn, Strachan knows the importance of retaining the momentum built up since he took charge in January last year.

He wants to win this final warm-up game, and for that he must have as strong - and happy - a squad as possible.

Given the timing of this match, on May 28, he needs the players to feel the game against Efe Ambrose and Co and everything surrounding it is right for them, with their welfare uppermost in the planning.

Strachan got the response he wanted for the end-of-season game in Croatia last June,

But that was a competitive fixture, already arranged before he took charge.

This match against the Super Eagles a fortnight tomorrow has been carefully selected, as the manager explained.

"We have made sure the boys will feel at home for this game," said Strachan.

"They are not having to do a lot of travelling. They will not feel they are away in a wilderness somewhere or that they are cannon fodder for some other team.

"Our boys will not think they are just there to fulfil a fixture.

"It's on our doorstep, there will be loads of fans at the game, and it will be in an environment in which they will enjoy playing.

"We could have gone to South America to play a couple of games. There were a few offers. But that is not our environment.

"The trip would have taken us up to the second week in June, which I don't think was conducive to generating any sort of enthusiasm from the players at this time of the year.

"It would have meant long-haul flights, pitches and conditions they are not used to, and playing against teams buzzing at the moment.

"That would not have been right for us. This game, in London against Nigeria, is right for us."

Strachan is not being in any way disrespectful to the current African Nations Cup holders, who he expects will give his side a very stiff examination.

However, while the Nigerians will be heading to Brazil, the overall package of training sessions and the match make it a very important part of Scotland's preparations, also.

"Staying in London allows us to have a couple of days' training, with two sessions a day, rather than spending time in the air or in airports," he said.

"That's important, especially as we have introduced a couple of new faces to the squad in the Derby County lads, Craig Forsyth and Chris Martin.

"It will allow them to see what it is we are trying to do, and how we want to play.

"Though we want to win, I will treat the game as a training session added on to the work we will do beforehand.

"So, I will tell the players not to keep all of their energy for the match itself, because I need to let the new lads learn what we are doing.

"I want to try out one or two little things before we get to the training sessions before the opening Euro 2016 qualifier against Germany in September."

Strachan has always insisted the work done on the training field is every bit as important as the performances in the games.

The result overrides everything, but no-one is allowed to treat pre-match sessions as anything other than very serious.

It has taken time to convert everyone to this way of thinking, and some who have not been prepared to commit fully to the philosophy are no longer invited to put their shoulder to the national wheel.

The 57-year-old, who has lifted Scotland to 22nd place in the world rankings, said: "Some people are convinced that their way is right.

"I am not saying that how we train, and why we do what we do, is right for everyone. But, it is right for this squad and what we are trying to achieve.

"Neither am I saying to players, 'Whatever you do at your club is wrong.'

"It might be right for them. But, for this group, we can't play like Liverpool, or Manchester City. We play the way we can play, and we train the way we do to make that happen."

Any argument which might ensue is always won in the form of results. And, so far, Strachan's case is proven.

He is desperate to maintain this feel-good vibe with another win to sign off the successful season.

"The game is all about winning in this horrible world we live in," Strachan conceded.

"Look at Steven Gerrard. He has been magnificent this year, has one slip in an important game, and what is he going to be remembered for?

"The same with Gary McAllister. He was great for Scotland for years. What is he remembered for? One penalty miss.

"That's what football is - it's cruel."