Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam is determined to prove the critics wrong after becoming a scapegoat for the many failings of the national side in this World Cup qualifying campaign.
The Stoke City player was at fault as Gareth Bale scored a spectacular goal when Wales beat Scotland in Cardiff last October and struggled to hold his international place.
But Adam has returned to form in the English Premier League and could win his 24th cap against Croatia at Hampden on Tuesday as Scotland aim to finish their campaign with a win on home turf.
Adam said: “I have not played to my potential for my country on as consistent a basis as I probably should have done.
“It is probably down to the way we have played and results. You take it on the chin and, hopefully, the new manager can get us the right results.
“I have a lot of respect for Craig Levein and thought he was a good manager. When you get criticism you take it. It would have been easier for him not to say anything but that is the way it is. The new manager has come in and we have started well under him and, hopefully, that continues against Croatia on Tuesday.”
The Tartan Army will watch next year’s World Cup finals in Brazil on television and Adam feels the pain of the supporters.
He added: “If you don’t qualify from any campaign then it is disappointing.
“No matter if you finish third, second or whatever, if you have not qualified then it is a disappointment. The only time you can say you are happy is if you get to the tournament.
“For the last number of years it has been a disappointment for Scotland and it is up to the players to change that. If we can win against Croatia, who are a good side, then we can take the confidence into the next campaign and start that one better than we did this one.
“When you have 50,000 Scotland supporters cheering you on, the pressure is there and we have probably played better away from Hampden than we have at home. If we can change that and get a win then that will put us in a good position. We do seem to have turned the corner with our performances and results recently.”
Scots focus, Pages 62, 63