WHEN Gordon Strachan took over as Scotland manager, the battered and bruised players he inherited approached international dates with understandable and deep-seated apprehension.

Ten months on, this has been replaced by invigorating optimism - shared with a Tartan Army which was close to deserting, so poor were the results under Craig Levein.

The new man at the helm, and his backroom team, should take the plaudits for this transformation which, in their eight matches in charge, has seen Scotland move assuredly back up the Fifa rankings.

But, typically, Strachan is more comfortable deflecting the praise and placing it firmly on the shoulders of those who have rallied to his call and responded to his recovery plan.

He also makes the point that, though tonight's game against the United States and Tuesday's friendly in Norway will bring the curtain down on the action for 2013, stability is all that has been achieved.

Credibility - even after the wins over Croatia, among others - is still the target, with regaining competitiveness the stepping stone which has to be used to get us to that position.

However, compared to where Scotland was this time last year - effectively out of the World Cup qualifying race before the half-way point and struggling to win any kind of game - a quantum leap has been made.

Strachan took time out before despatching his side to face America this evening to reflect on where the national team now stands, and how much further they still have to go.

He said: "Whatever happens in the next two games, against the USA and Norway, unless there is complete disaster, I don't think I will look at the situation any differently than I do at the moment.

"That's because you can be deceived by friendlies, one way or the other.

"I have had the chance to look at players in real games.

"Even though it was billed as friendly, the England match at Wembley was what I would describe as a real game.

"And, when it has come to real games, they have competed well."

The knock on effect is that the players are hungry to get more victories and continue the momentum which has been developed.

Strachan can sense it as soon as the squad assembles, even for friendlies like these which come at a time when many players are searching for their second wind after the hurly-burly of the first third of the season.

"It makes it easier to play international friendlies if you have been winning games, because they are hard work," acknowledged Strachan.

"People say, 'But, you are playing for Scotland.'

"The thing is, though, we are competitive animals. That's what we do.

"And it's very hard to take them from the competitiveness of the Premiership or the Champions League down to friendly level and say, 'Look, do the same here.'

"Once you get into the game itself, however, things are all right."

Taking the difficult step away from the intensity of club action without allowing subconscious thoughts that this is a bit of a break to permeate is assisted by the structure in place for the entire time the squad is together.

"The intensity of our training tells them this is not a break, but serious," explained Strachan as he recovered after being exposed to the elements during a training session at Cappielow.

"However, ultimately, it is up to the players to attune their minds to what is required and expected, especially when it is a friendly game.

"You will find out who can do it.

"Look at Scott Brown. You wouldn't know if it was a World Cup qualifier or a friendly match. He gives it all he has.

"And it's not just in the game itself. It's everything he does in training and even when he is walking about the team hotel.

"It is all taken seriously by him."

While Strachan admires the way his skipper leads by example, with all-out commitment his default position, the manager is mindful of the need to look after the interests of the clubs who have 'loaned' their stars to him.

"We have to careful with the players, especially those who have big games coming up with their clubs, like the lads at Norwich.

"But, there are some who can play two matches with us over four days because they don't actually get too many games with their clubs.

"It can be a benefit to the likes of Alan Hutton, who is getting games with us while not playing for Aston Villa.

"If he doesn't get two games with us, when is he going to play?

"Charlie Adams, James McArthur and Steven Naismith have all been subs with their respective clubs recently.

"So we can actually send them back to their clubs better for having played."

And, hopefully, buoyed by once again being part of a winning Scotland side.