Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has insisted that his side are in a "good place" going into their European Championship qualifier against Germany on Sunday.
The 2014 World Cup champions will play their first competitive fixture since the final against Argentina, although a number of injuries and retirements are likely to force Joachim Low into naming a weaker side than the one that triumphed in Brazil.
Scotland, meanwhile, have been steadily improving since a 1-0 away win over Croatia in June, and they go into the match in Dortmund on a six-game unbeaten streak.
"I would have felt a bit different a year ago, before we played Croatia away," Strachan is quoted as saying by PA.
"Since then the group have become more comfortable with each other, more understanding, and the players we have brought into the squad have definitely added to the squad. Best time to play Germany? I just think for us it is a good time for us to play together. We are in a good place.
"We are respectful of Germany, we understand how good they are, but we are happy with what we have been doing in the last year at least. The players will know what is required from them."
Germany's last outing saw them fall to a 4-2 home friendly defeat against Argentina on Wednesday night.
Barney Corkhill
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