Scotland manager Gordon Strachan insists his team will cope without Scott Brown and Stuart Armstrong in their must-win clash against Slovakia.
The Celtic duo called off injured last week, dealing the Scots what seemed like a body blow ahead of their World Cup qualifying Group F game at Hampden on Thursday night, which is followed by a trip to Slovenia on Sunday.
Strachan’s men need to take maximum points from those fixtures to get into a play-off spot and keep their Russian dream alive.
Captain Brown, who came off during the Hoops’ Champions League away win over Anderlecht, has a hamstring injury, while Armstrong – a revelation at international level since breaking into the side – missed that game with a calf problem.
They were followed out of the squad by Newcastle’s Matt Ritchie on Sunday after he produced a man-of-the-match display for the Magpies against Liverpool but it is the loss of the Parkhead pair that has really hurt.
However, Strachan stressed life is going on without them as others get ready to take their chance.
The national coach said: “Broony is missing, as are Armstrong and Ritchie.
“We’ve got to say, though, that if we can handle things better in one area of the team than in others, then it is midfield.
“I saw Scott get injured but, no, I wasn’t cursing my luck.
“I was all right and I’m fine, just fine.
“I first saw him getting injured five minutes before he came off and I thought that it was good that he came off.
“He was doing the right thing by catching it early.
“Initially we thought it might be a bit of cramp but I spoke to him on Friday and he told me exactly what it was.
“Stuart also got in touch. He tried to call me and texted me, explaining about his injury and saying he wished he could be here.
“We will replace them but it’s not fair to say to players: ‘Listen, I want you to play like him and I want you to play like someone else.’
“You have to have a system where the players feel confident enough in themselves, knowing that it’s all about the way they play rather than trying to fill in for someone who couldn’t be there.
“You don’t want them trying to imitate someone.
“I don’t think there is an inferiority complex with any of them because I don’t think we have players that far ahead (of the others).
“It is different if it is Lionel Messi. ‘Do you want to step in for Messi? ‘No, I don’t want to step in for Messi.’ I’d rather just sit on the bench and watch this!’ So we’re not there, no.”
Strachan, whose only call-up has been Celtic’s Callum McGregor despite losing those three, will have to pick a captain to replace Brown.
Stoke City’s Darren Fletcher is expected to wear the armband if he plays, although all Strachan would say was: “You will soon find out.”
