Post 'Boozegate' Scotland poker-faced

Booze binges are a thing of the past, replaced now by poker pools. "The boys like a game of poker and we bring people in to let them play here," said Houston yesterday. "The boys love it. It is for relaxation because the boys are at the hotel for hours and hours.

"Two guys, who work in casinos, come in. I think the SFA pay them and then the boys chip in again for them at the end of the night."

Whatever the reason for the feelgood vibe generated within the camp, it does appear as though absenteeism has been reduced. This was once the curse of Scotland managers. Indeed, Levein himself was faced with the task of sending-out a patched-up team against Sweden last August, following no fewer than six withdrawals.

Only two in the current squad - Alan Hutton and Steven Whittaker - pulled out over the weekend, while Celtic's Kris Commons, whose instep was badly bruised by a stud during Sunday's match at Aberdeen, limped into the Mar Hotel yesterday morning. He has been told to return to his club for continued treatment but Houston applauded his determination to show-up, while he also noted the presence of those from the English Premier League, with England's top flight due to kick-off this weekend.

Commons will be "reassessed" today. "Fair play to him as it shows he's keen to be here," said Houston. "I am not surprised that we have hardly had any call-offs. I think the fact that there are a few English Premier League players up here in the hotel tells you a lot about what Craig is trying to build.

"We want people to want to turn up and every one of these guys who have turned up, the Charlie Adams and Gary Caldwells, because they all want to play on Wednesday night. That speaks volumes.

"Alan Hutton is genuinely injured," added Houston. "He has had injections into his knee and I believe Steven Whittaker has broken a toe. Hutton is desperate to play and he has even phoned Craig a couple of times as well."

Houston revealed his manager's hand yesterday as Scotland prepared to entertain Denmark in a friendly match at Hampden Park tomorrow evening.

The serious business begins again next month when Czech Republic and Liechtenstein visit Glasgow as Scotland resume their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, with the SFA set to continue giving their support to a form of player entertainment that certainly beats sinking umpteen pints of lager until daybreak. However, some eyebrows might be raised at the switch to gambling, although Houston yesterday stressed that it wasn't for "big bucks".

Filling the time is one of Levein's chief concerns as a Scotland manager and he hopes to have found the answer to long nights spent in the team hotel before and after games. Downtime during double-headers is a sensitive issue following the Boozegate scandal of 2009.

Then skipper Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor's method of winding down after a defeat to the Netherlands and prior to a must-win match against Iceland will forever be a stain on their careers, although McGregor has since been rehabilitated to the extent that, fitness permitting, he is a certain starter next month. Indeed, McGregor is one of those to whom the manager was hoping to appeal with his poker-playing scheme.

It continues on from a night out at the casino during the squad's trip to La Manga in March, prior to the friendly with Brazil in London.

"Some times you are in a hotel for a long time and you have to keep international players happy," said Houston. "You (have to ask] what is going to realistically keep them amused without any shenanigans or drink.

"I don't know the ins and outs of poker but the banter was brilliant," continued Houston. "It has helped with a bit of unity and I think there is now trust on both sides and the players will go out and give everything for the manager now."

It isn't realistic to imagine a group of 20 or so twentysomethings sitting around reading great works of literature, hence the need to come up with some sort of alternative form of entertainment - one unlikely to impinge on performance. Houston added that no-one has felt the need to mention a booze ban. "They're not here to drink: they're here to play against Denmark," he said. "There is no issue there."

The assistant manager also separated these poker nights from the card school which helped drive a wedge between players during Sven Goran Eriksson's time as England manager. "Allan McGregor is the best poker player," said Houston. "The boys all play it. When we have been abroad the players like to play cards, not for big bucks, just amongst themselves. They are all practically millionaires any way but there is a limit on the bets."

Even Levein and Houston have been getting in on the action. "We have tried it but the players were taking money off us left, right and centre," said the assistant manager. They now sit at a different table. "Because we are still learning," explained Houston with a smile.

Meanwhile, Houston believes that the abundance of English-based players in the Scotland squad is "irrelevant".

Only five out of Craig Levein's 24-man squad who assembled ply their trade in the SPL, but the exodus of the best players from Scotland does not worry the Dundee United manager, and he defended the standard of Scottish football.

Asked about the uneven ratio, Houston said: "It tells me that some of the guys in the SPL have been good enough to go down south and play in those fabulous leagues.

"That's something that is irrelevant as far as I'm con-cerned because they are all good players.

"I don't think it detracts from the fact that we have a good SPL. I think the quality of football up here is excellent. I have worked in the Championship.

"I think we play more football in the SPL, however, they pay more money down there so you can't deny players the chance to earn more money."