to earn the 46-year-old the chance to plot the way ahead to the next World Cup.

He was under a little pressure after a poor performance in the goalless draw in Slovenia, but this was just what he needed - in result terms at least - and it is now surely only a matter of time before his appointment is confirmed, irrespective of the result of Tuesday's friendly against Spain at Wembley.

Will Strachan get time to 'debrief'?

The Scottish Daily Record delivered an unforgiving back page on the 3-0 defeat at Wembley

Headed goals from Daniel Sturridge, Adam Lallana and Gary Cahill sent Scotland to their biggest defeat against their arch rivals since 1975.

Gordon Strachan's side face Slovenia in March but now boast one win in four qualifiers - a runwhich has seen him face questions over his future.

"If you think I'm worried about myself, you're completely wrong," said Strachan, who became national team boss in 2013.

"What I've got to think about is everybody in that dressing room. I'll go and talk to my family and we'll debrief with everybody else."

The former Celtic manager, who has lost 12 of his 33 matches in charge, claimed Friday's game was "cruel" to his side, adding his players had "given everything".

Captain Darren Fletcher said the players "believe" in Strachan, adding: "We know how passionate he is. Hopefully he gets the chance to put it right."

Analysis - Is that it for Strachan?

Chief football writer McNulty:

It was almost impossible to find an optimistic Scot at Wembley before kick-off. Sadly, their worst fears were