Jamie Murphy has challenged the Scotland squad to improve their friendly record following a disappointing March international break.

Scots boss Steve Clarke claimed his side aren't very good when it comes to non-competitive games amid a run of just two wins from their last 19 friendlies since 2016. 

However, Murphy, who earned two Scotland caps himself, reckons there has to be some incentive to play well in these matches because of this summer's Euros in Germany.

And he believes every player that took to the field during recent defeats against The Netherlands and Northern Ireland should've been giving their all in order to secure their place on the plane to tournament - with Clarke only permitted to name a 23-man squad. 

He told Go Radio: "It's in yourself how much effort you are going to put in, how much desire do you have to try your best in that game. But they are important, especially with big games coming up.

"We have the European Championship in the summer, Scotland have got these friendlies and you've got to prove that you are good enough to play in the big games. If you want to do that then you've got to perform in these friendlies." 

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Murphy, who is currently at Ayr United did offer some insight from a players point of view having experienced the positive and negative effects of friendlies throughout his career.

The 34-year-old went on: "Without a doubt (you have a different mindset). Pre-season, for example, I've had pre-seasons where I've lost every pre-season friendly and then you go out and you are brilliant on the first day of the season. And then I've had it the other way round where we've been brilliant in pre-season, win all the friendlies and then lose the first game of the season. 

"So, it is completely different to the competitive edge of a league game."