GORDON Strachan has insisted he will hand caps to talented youngsters during Scotland’s bid to reach the Russia 2018 finals - if he believes they are the best options in their respective positions.

Strachan has been criticised by many supporters for a perceived reluctance to take a chance on promising players at international level during his time in charge of the national team.

He was unrepentant yesterday about once again including Christophe Berra, Gordon Greer, Allan Hutton and Russell Martin, whose combined age if 126, in his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Lithuania and Slovakia next month.

“In my opinion, there is nobody better than the four centre backs we have got now,” he said. “If somebody wants to do better then get better and play for top clubs.”

But the 59-year-old, whose side is on top of Group F after their 5-1 win over Malta in their opening qualifier at the start of this month, has stressed he is prepared to put his faith the likes of Oliver Burke and Kieran Tierney if he feels their form justifies their inclusion.

“There is no point changing one for the other if there is only one per cent, two per cent difference,” he said. “You just keep going with the guys who you have been going with. But if one of the coaching or scouting staff says ‘listen, he’s terrific, you have to get him in there’ then we will go with that. That is what we will be doing.”

Burke, who became the most expensive Scottish player in history when he moved from Nottingham Forest of RB Leipzig for £13 million last month has started off encouragingly in Germany.

The 19-year-old attacking midfielder set up the winning goal on his debut in a 1-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in a Bundesliga match at the start of the month and then netted in a 1-1 draw with Koln at the weekend.

Strachan, who handed the Kirkcaldy-born player his international debut in the friendly against Denmark in March and gave him his first start for his country against Malta, has no fears he will be able to cope with the expectations on him following his headline-grabbing transfer.

“I watched him scoring the goal the other night there,” said Strachan. “As a matter of fact, I am just about to go and watch his bits and bobs. I just hope he gets enough games – and I’m sure he will.

“Between 19 and 21 is such an important age for footballers. They can’t waste their time playing nothing football on training grounds and in empty stadiums. They have to get out there and play football in the real world. That’s what I’m hoping for with any of our young players.”

He added: “I think you have to deal with that expectation. I think that expectation is something you have to deal with as a young player. If you can, you get on and you become a better player. It has happened to all of the top players you have known who have come into the Scotland team or the England team.

“He has put himself there because he has done well. I saw him at Charlton when nobody knew about him. I went to see Tony Watt and he came on as a sub for Nottingham Forest. I knew then I was going to pick him.

“If you can impress there is an opportunity for you. If you are going to blow us away we are not going to mess about with under-19s and under-21s and all the rest of it. Bang, you are up there, in there. There are so many good players who started at an early age.”

Tierney, the Celtic left back who broke into the first team at Parkhead last season and who also made his Scotland debut against Denmark earlier this year, has performed superbly again this term under the guidance of Brendan Rodgers.

He had to withdraw from the Malta squad due to injury, but Strachan confirmed he is very much in his thoughts for the matches against Lithuania at Hampden on Saturday week and Slovakia at Anton Malatinsky City Arena in Trnava along with Andy Robertson.

“It was disappointing that had to pull out of the last squad, but he had to go away and get an injection in his ankle,” he said. “He turned up and was devastated not to be a part of the squad.

“He is 19, but, again, let’s get him in. It is there for you if you want to take it on. But it doesn’t stop the door to Gordon Greer. If somebody is better than Gordon Greer then get yourself in.”

Strachan has recalled Shuan Maloney, retained Lee Wallace and will be able to pick Tierney and James McArthur available once again after they recovered from injuries for this double header

Beating Lithuania at home and getting something from the game with Slovakia away would put Scotland in a decent position going into their eagerly-anticipated match against England.

“Of course I would like to win," he said. "That goes for any home game. But we are getting a bit better at understanding that these teams are not mugs any more, just because we don’t recognise the names. If you look at the results it’s a bit different.

"I was talking to another manager the other day and we were saying that we never put targets on players. Some go ‘right, next six games we have to get a certain amount’. If you get beat in the first two you put yourself in it and real pressure on you. Let’s go and see where we go."