Craig Levein calls on Scotland to 'punch above our weight' in Prague

Craig Levein is content for Scotland to play the role of underdogs as they prepare for Friday's Euro 2012 qualifying match with the Czech Republic. Scotland's manager has dismissed the Czechs' tumble down the Fifa rankings – they lie 37th from a high point of second in April 2006 – in stressing that his players will need to "punch above their weight" to claim even a point in Prague. In response to a question of whether the Czech Republic are superior, Levein replied: "I think they are, yes. They are higher up the rankings than we are [Scotland are 47th] and they are playing at home. "Being at home is always a big thing. If you went to the bookmakers, I am 100% sure they would be the favourites. "But that doesn't mean we can't win. That's what it is all about – punching above your weight. If you go back 20 or 25 years we punched above our weight, we just didn't realise we were doing it." Levein admitted there is an element of psychology involved in playing down Scotland's chances of building on their position as the leaders of Group I in the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign. Inspiration can be taken, said the manager, from Blackpool's win at Liverpool – in which the Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam scored — and West Bromwich Albion's recent victory at Arsenal. Graham Dorrans and James Morrison featured for the winners of that encounter and are also in Levein's party. "Historically, we have always been better as an underdog," Levein said. "When you've got to make the running in a match you need to have guys who have got great flair, guys who can change a game, and not just one or two. That's why teams like Chelsea still manage to win even when teams come and sit in against them. They've got these players who can make that difference. "Even though we have got talented players, I believe our best weapon is our togetherness and our team spirit. Putting all these flair players together isn't always going to be a team, there is more to it than that. It's a mental thing, it is an attitude. Once we recognise that is the best way to get results, then we are on the right road."