Dundee United goalie Rado Cierzniak has revealed he has been inundated with calls from back home in Poland about the big changes in Scottish football.
The keeper has been a firm fan of the game in this country ever since he moved to Tannadice in the summer of 2012.
Now though, his opinion is being shared by his countrymen who have been impressed by the job Gordon Strachan has done since taking over as national manager.
Poland may currently be sitting top of Euro 16 qualifying group D, but Cierzniak admits the new-look passing game of the Scots has been a big talking point back home.
Speaking ahead of Scotland’s friendly against England, he said: “How well they are playing is a big, big surprise to people back in Poland.
“So many people have called me, journalists from newspapers and friends back home, to ask me what has happened.
“Everyone always thought Scotland played long ball, a very British style, so they are asking me when they changed from this?
“There is a very good picture of Scotland being given abroad. I think people are respecting the Scottish game.
“People are looking at Scotland, seeing they play a new style and are surprised at how good they are.
“It is good for me because I have been telling people for a while that Scottish football is very good and now they are believing me.”
Cierzniak admitted he was impressed by the way Scotland stuck to their guns against the Republic of Ireland on Friday night, remaining patient as they probed for the breakthrough that eventually came courtesy of Shaun Maloney’s winner.
He said: “It was a tough time for Scotland, every game can be tough, but the way they pressed and attacked was impressive.
“They didn’t go back to playing long balls, they kept passing and attacking the way they want to these days.”
While praising Scotland, Cierzniak insists that there will only be one winner of Group D, Poland, and he admitted that one of the reasons for his optimism is the job being done by national team coach Adam Nawalka.
He added: “I still think Poland can finish top but there is a long way to go and Scotland still have to play Gibraltar so it’s very tight.
“Germany is a very good team but after we beat them, we gave ourselves a chance to win the group.
“It will be difficult but I think it’s possible for Poland to win the group now.
“We are happy because we have played well and have been picking up points.
“It’s not a huge surprise because we have so many individual players.
“In the past we had the individuals but didn’t always play well as a team but the new coach has changed the style of the team.
“Everything is better now and it’s down to the coach because when you hear the players speak, they are more collective.
“Everyone feels good together in the squad and you can tell that on the pitch and from the way they speak after the matches.
“The most important thing has been turning the group of players into a team.
“It’s very similar to Scotland because the same has happened since Gordon Strachan took over.
“The Scottish team sticks together and I think Poland are the same at the moment.”
This weekend, the focus shifts from international football to the domestic game with United back in action against Kilmarnock at Tannadice.
The last time the two sides met, it was a Friday night to forget for the Tangerines at Rugby Park as they slumped to a disappointing defeat that ended a six-game unbeaten run.
Cierzniak and his team-mates are looking to make amends on Saturday and he believes the fact the game will take place on natural grass will make all the difference.
He said: “The last time against Kilmarnock it was a very bad result.
“So there is pressure on us to win the game this time.
“It wasn’t good enough at Rugby Park and it turned into a bad night.
“We will see what happens on natural grass this time through.
“I think the pitch is an advantage for them. As a professional you don’t look for excuses but the other teams train every day on grass.
“Then you go there, the ball bounces differently and it becomes a different test.
“But we don’t complain, you don’t look for an excuse and we will see what happens in this game.
“As a goalkeeper I don’t like the astro because afterwards you feel everything.
“I have a lot of respect for people who train every day and play on it because it must be difficult on their bodies.
“It’s nice to be back after the break, looking forward to playing a game this weekend.
“We are preparing well and are focused on getting three points.
“We are in third place at the moment and are still in there challenging.
“We have to be focused on this game now, not what has happened in the past.”