Bezjak scored twice from set-pieces to put
Gordon Strachan:
'Scotland have a
problem -
genetically, we are
behind'
 From the section Football
Strachan has been Scotland head coach
since January 2013
Scotland boss Gordon Strachan said his
team were "genetically behind", after they
missed out on a World Cup play-off place
with a 2-2 draw in Slovenia.
Victory in Ljubljana would have made the
Scots one of the eight best second-placed
finishers, but Slovakia edged them out on
goal difference.
"We had to pick a team to combat their
height and strength," said Strachan, who
would not be drawn on his future.
"It's a problem for us because we have to
work harder for every ball."
Leigh Griffiths shot Scotland into a first-
half lead in Slovenia but substitute Roman
the hosts in front.
Robert Snodgrass netted a late leveller
after Darren Fletcher spurned a wonderful
chance but it was not enough as Slovakia
cruised to an expected home win over
Malta.
"Genetically, we are behind," said
Strachan. "In the last campaign we were
the second smallest, apart from Spain.
"Maybe we get big women and men
together and see what we can do."
Scotland's starting XI in Ljubljana were
more than three centimetres smaller than
their opponents on average.
And Strachan said they had been unable to
combat Slovenia's "height and strength" at
set-plays.
"Nobody can tell me that, apart from one
player, they are technically better than our
players," he said. "But, physically, we
have a problem.
"We can fight it, battle it and get through
games on sheer determination and work-
rate and that takes a lot out of you.
"That's what happened tonight. These guys
have put so much into this. I really feel for
them but they can also be really pleased.
"This group is as good as anything I've
worked with."
Strachan's side had four points after four
games of their qualifying campaign,
following a calamitous home draw with
Lithuania and heavy defeats in Slovakia
and England.
They finished with a six-game unbeaten
run, including four victories, but it was not
enough to finish as runners-up to runaway
Group F winners England.
Strachan, 60, said it was "an honour to
work with this group".

"The players are hurting badly but when

they look back they can be proud, they
gave it a right good shot," he said.

"They left nothing in the dressing room,

over the last two games especially.

"We've been beaten on goal difference by

Slovakia, who are an excellent side."

Leigh Griffiths opened the scoring for

Scotland but the visitors could not find the
win they needed

'No-one hurts like the players'

Former Celtic and Middlesbrough boss

Strachan, who has been in charge since
January 2013, said now was not the time to
discuss his future.

"No-one is hurting like the players, it's

impossible," he said. "The fans can't hurt
like that, I can't hurt.

"There shouldn't be any talk about what

I'm thinking or what I'm doing at this
moment in time because I am just looking
after them.

"Sometimes in life you have to hurt badly

before you achieve things. I have been
lucky enough to achieve things with other
groups of lads but these have achieved as
much as anybody.

"I have never been in a dressing room as

silent as that. That was a real hurting
silence.

"I really have to thank them for the effort

they have put in."