ALEX McLeish last night accepted full responsibility for the 4-0 defeat Scotland suffered at the hand Belgium - for demanding his players to pass the ball against the Russia 2018 semi-finalists.

The national team slumped to their heaviest defeat at Hampden since a 5-0 loss to England in the Home Internationals way back in 1973 as a result of needless errors in both halves.

However, McLeish absolved his charges from all blame for the loss and insisted their confidence would not be dented ahead of their opening Nations League match against Albania on Monday night.

"Mistakes cost us," said McLeish, whose team has now lost four and won one of the friendly games they have played since he was appointed Scotland manager for a second time back in February.

"I thought we were doing okay in the first half, then we made a mistake and lost a goal. At this level, against a team of this stature, the consequences are devastating.

"What we have encouraged is for guys to pass the ball. The guys have to learn fast. They are young guys, they have just broken into the team in the last year or so and they were playing a team of world superstars.

"It looked the best choice for me. We have got to test ourselves. But for the first goal we are probably going in at half-time all square. The second half was a catalogue of errors.

"If anybody has to take the blame it is me for telling them to pass the ball. I know Charlie Mulgrew can pass the ball. Ryan Jack got caught on the ball. It is harsh lessons for the young boys."

McLeish continued: "I praised them after the game. I thought they did a lot of good things. They passed the ball well at times. I don't want them just to lump it up the pitch. We have to try and do something now.

"You have got to tear your hair out with the goals. But I know I will definitely see a lot of good things in the video tomorrow. I have always looked at videos the next day and found something that will empower the guys.

"I need to look at legs for Albania. I know it's a very difficult game coming before the Albania game. But they can cope with two games in a short space of time. There is no way they should be downhearted. We're down, but we're certainly not out.

"The guys are gutted to lose the goals and make the mistakes that they made. But they are trying to do what we want them to do. But there is a lot of ability. The next game is massive for us. But it is not about statistics for me. The best Scotland team in the world would find it hard against that team.

McLeish revealed he took Leigh Griffiths, who was in a collision with Jan Vertonghen in the first-half, off at half-time as a precaution ahead of the Albania game. "I think he wanted to play on in he second-half," he said. "I felt he was too stop-start. I thought it was better taking him off.

Roberto Martinez, the former Motherwell player who is now the manager of Belgium, urged Scotland supporters to be patient with McLeish and his new-look side.

"It was a perfect exercise for both teams," he said. "We both understand the game that really matters is the next one, the first in the Nations League. The experienced players were very well focused. It was an experimental team.

"We were very clinical in front of goal. This Scotland team is a new project, you need to be patient. It was difficult for us at the beginning. Alex McLeish will have to work with this group for an extended period. I think they can be very good in future.

"We had to be very aware. As soon as we lost the ball we had to be very alert. They had very quick counter attacks. They were very well organised for the first half an hour."