Kenny Miller today said Craig Levein has not only brought pride back to Scotland, but re-instilled belief among the players.

That's what the national team captain reckons can help propel them to six vital points in next month's crunch European Championship double- header against the Czech Republic and Lithuania.

The striker believes last night's 2-1 win over highly-rated Denmark was the confidence boost Scotland needed ahead of resuming their Euro 2012 campaign.

And he gives the credit to Levein for turning around a nation which was heading into the international wilderness, just as Walter Smith did when he took over from Berti Vogts in 2004.

As he celebrated Scotland's first win over the Danes in 36 years, courtesy of a deflected Charlie Adam free-kick and a first international goal for Robert Snodgrass, Miller acknowledged how far the team has come in the 20 months since Levein replaced George Burley.

He said: "I think we have progressed massively as a team in the past year. Obviously, when a manager comes in, he's got to try to find the right formula that works for us.

"To be fair to him, he has found it quickly. Since the Sweden friendly this time last year, then the Czech Republic game away, we have really kicked on.

"We have the personnel now that fits in perfectly with the way we play. As much as it is a 4-5-1, there are so many attacking players within that system. We also do the defending. We have to work hard, which is first and foremost for us.

"But these boys can create and score goals, and it has been enjoyable to play in these games in the last six to eight months."

Miller has seen many highs and lows during his inter- national career, and he detects genuine similarities between the job Levein is doing and the way Smith lifted the nation.

He said: "It's similar to when Walter came in seven years ago. We were on a downer then. But he looked at the players he had at his disposal and found a way that got us results.

"It might not have been as pleasing on the eye as things have been recently, but he found a formula to get the boys working, get results and get us close in that campaign with France, Italy and Ukraine in our group.

"Now the gaffer has come in and has found the same thing, this way which the players are happy to play in. It's one where we're getting results and playing well.

"The lads who are playing are going to work their socks off, which he just expects, which is fair.

"But he gives the boys real confidence and free reign to go and express themselves.

"They are all good, attacking players who want to get forward and score goals and play a part at the other end, not just sit back soaking pressure up for 90 minutes.

"We want to create our own chances, and it is working for us at the moment."

It certainly did against the Danes, though the victory was hard-earned, as Miller conceded.

"First and foremost, that was another good win against a fantastic team," he said.

"It was backs-to-the-wall in the second half when they were throwing everything at us.

"But the lads at the back were superb. Everything that came their way they were kicking, heading and blocking.

"That's the kind of thing we are used to with Scotland performances when we play good teams.

"But I thought we showed again, as we have done for the last six to eight months, that we can create as well."

The Scotland No.9 added: "We scored two fantastic goals, and had another couple of half sniffs. So we're definitely moving in the right direction.

"We are playing a 4-5-1 formation, but it is not the 4-5-1 we played in the past.

"Look at the players we have in the midfield. They want to get forward into attack.

"We have so many boys in those positions who for me, are great footballers. It is a joy to play with them."

The real reassurance for Miller comes when he looks at the players who missed last night's game through injury, and the men who were avail-able to come off the bench.

"There is competition for places all over, but I feel the midfield areas are key for us and there are so many options for us in there," said Miller with real enthusiasm.

"They are key to how we are playing at the moment."

Miller hopes this strength across the middle of the park will provide the platform for a win against the Czechs and reckons this latest victory has set us up perfectly.

He said: "Getting the right result is always pleasing, and we're going to go into the games next month on a high.

"We're confident how we are playing. It only bodes well for us next month to beat a really good team like Denmark."

TIMES TALKER: Has boss found plan for Czechs?

YES says THOMAS JORDAN

Scotland lined up in a 4-5-1 formation and it seemed to work well enough in the 2-1 victory.

There have been times when Kenny Miller has been isolated when playing up front on his own, but that wasn't the case last night and he was supported constantly by various midfielders.

Steven Naismith is at his most dangerous when he is playing just off a main striker rather than right up top, and he was never that far away from Miller when Scotland were moving into the final third of the park.

Robert Snodgrass also got forward on the right and it also allows Charlie Adam to drop a little deeper and play his trademark long range passes. Sometimes, a 5-4-1 formation can be just too defensive, but the extra man in midfield gives more options going forward.

The amount of chances the visitors created will cause Levein a little concern, but seeing his team look more dangerous at the other end might just tempt him to stick with the 4-5-1 line-up.

NEEDS TWEAK says RONNIE CULLY

Last night's result against the Danes was much better than the performance – and there is no doubt Scotland rode their luck in the second half.

The Czechs are sure to be much more clinical in their finishing, so it is important that a more robust and rigid defence is presented in that game.

Too often Danish players were allowed to advance into very dangerous areas, and it took a number of excellent saves from Allan McGregor to keep them at bay. It is vital that Scotland tighten up and keep the opposition well out of shooting range.

By contrast, the formation favoured by Levein does appear to give us many more options going forward, with a threat posed by several players breaking from midfield.

But, the back door has to be tightly bolted, and we may have to curb some of our enthusiasm to get forward to make sure this is achieved.