Levein to keep faith with McGregor for crunch Czech clash

Allan McGregor will have the responsibility of attempting to help Scotland remain at the head of Group I in their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign by taking three points from their trip to the Czech Republic.

Craig Levein has resisted the temptation to make a change between the sticks for the Prague clash with Craig Gordon back in contention for a starting berth after recovering from a broken arm.

However, with McGregor on top form in recent months for both Scotland and Rangers, Levein believes it would be unfair to drop him.

The Scotland manager said: “Allan will play against the Czechs in Prague and I think I would have stuck with him even if Craig was back playing.

“Nobody is a bigger fan of Craig than me, but it would be hard to fault Allan for what he has done. He is in terrific form.”

Scotland currently sit atop Group I on four points from two games after they followed up on a goalless draw in Lithuania with a nerve-racking 2-1 victory at home to Liechtenstein with McGregor starting in both showdowns.

Their trip to Prague will no doubt be their toughest group test to date and this is shown by their odds of 4/1 to beat the Czech Republic.

Scott Brown scored the only goal when the pair last met in a friendly in March, but a repeat will not be witnessed as he has pulled out of the Scotland squad for fears that he would further worsen an ankle injury.

The Czechs have won the other three meetings with Scotland, aside from their defeat earlier this year, and will want to get their group campaign up and running following their surprise home loss to Lithuania in their opening fixture.

Odds of 8/11 are available on the Czech Republic beating Scotland. See the full Czech Republic vs Scotland match betting market.