Levein optimistic despite 2-0 loss

Scotland boss Craig Levein has praised his players for going down fighting in their 2-0 friendly loss to Brazil at the Emirates on Sunday.

Scotland were always going to find it difficult to keep up with a classy Brazilian outfit featuring the likes of Barcelona defender Dani Alves, Santos goal-scoring machine Elano and Chelsea midfielder Ramires.And, as expected, they were outplayed from start to finish by the visitors, from whom teenage superstar Neymar scored both goals.But Levein said he was more concerned about his players’ attitude on the pitch rather than the result, and on that measure his side performed extremely well.”One thing is for certain – we won’t have any tougher friendlies than that,” Levein said.”I was looking forward to playing against Brazil as much as anybody.”"I think we can play better and anyone who watches our players knows that.”"But for me this week has been about getting the players together and developing a team mentality. That showed today and we have to take into account the quality of the opposition.”"There is always a thought in the back of your mind when you are playing against the quality of opposition that we played against today that we might get turned over. But that didn’t happen.”"I was really pleased by the way the players stuck at it and worked their backsides off. I’m sure they have learned an awful lot as I did.”Neymar did his chances of finding an English Premier League club no harm with a well-earned brace, and Levein admitted to being dazzled by the Santos starlet.”We knew about him beforehand,” the Scotland boss said.”People were saying before the game that they were weakened because they had to bring in Neymar as back-up. Well we don’t know if that is weakening any team.”"It’s not just the quality of the players – you have to give Brazil the credit for pressing the match.”"They pressed higher up the field than previously, they didn’t give our defenders any time at all to settle and play the ball to the midfield.”Brazil coach Mano Menezes backed Neymar for a spell in England, saying the 19-year-old striker would benefit from seeing out his developmental years at a Premier League club.”I think that could only be good for Neymar as it would be confirmation of his development,” Menezes said.”English football would make him stronger and help to escape strong marking. I don’t see any problem. But Brazil fans will be deprived of watching a good player.”

Sun 27 March, 2011