Strachan forced his players to sit through a re-run of their 4-2 home loss against Rangers the day after the Clydesdale Bank Premier League defeat.

However, the Hoops boss is confident they can bounce back against Motherwell tomorrow by making some straightforward improvements.

"We would like not to let in soft goals," Strachan said. "Can we do anything about that? No.

"We would like someone to put the ball in the back of the net with a header from six yards. But it doesn't always work your way.

"We did an analysis right after the game, looking at the goals. Some you can't analyse, they were just mistakes. Some you can say we could have done better at this and we know that.

"Some of the football has been fantastic, terrific.

"At half-time, there was no concern whatsoever. I thought we would go on and win it.

"Nobody saw it coming but it happened and congratulations to Rangers for taking the opportunities when they came along."

Strachan has not had much time to work with his team following their August 31 derby defeat as most of his players have been on international duty.

But he is encouraged by their mood and was heartened by the fact Celtic provided almost half of the Scotland team in Wednesday night's 2-1 victory over Iceland.

Shaun Maloney was recalled following his lively substitute performance in the 1-0 defeat in Macedonia to join Stephen McManus, Gary Caldwell, Barry Robson and Scott Brown in the side, with Paul Hartley coming off the bench.

"I think everyone has been successful so they are coming back feeling decent about themselves, so that's a bonus," Strachan said.

"We have got to be pleased with ourselves because we had six performing in some part of the first game and same again the other night.

"That was good for six of our boys to be part of a great 90 minutes and a good 45 - the other 45 was a bit ridiculous with the heat they had to play in."

Scotland endured strong criticism from some quarters following the loss in Skopje but Strachan knew the Celtic players in the pool would cope.

"Lucky I wasn't here because I didn't have to read it and I wouldn't have read it anyway," the former Scotland midfielder said of the flak.

"For the Celtic players, it's not a problem - they get it every week. They thought it was a holiday."

With the bulk of his players away, Strachan was able to work more closely with his fringe players - and the opportunity assured him that his squad has depth.

"Training the last couple of weeks has given me the chance to look at some of the guys just underneath," he said.

"It has been good, it has perked us up looking at what is bubbling under the surface.

"They are doing enough at training to make me really think, so that's good.

"In saying that, I haven't had too many disappointments in the players this year. So you have to stay faithful to the players you have got until you feel it's time to change because they need a break."

Strachan has also lent a helping hand to Motherwell manager Mark McGhee this week, providing him with footage of Nancy, the Steelmen's UEFA Cup opponents.

But he does not expect any favours in return at Fir Park tomorrow.

The Parkhead boss said: "I passed some DVDs on to him last night to help his preparation, because we have facilities to pick up games from all over the world.

"He has done terrificly. I saw Hibs and Motherwell the other week. Good footballing sides, good coaches, we are lucky here.

"It's going to be tough, the two games there last year were terrific.

"They like to get it down but they like to pressurise you as well, they have a lot in their locker.

"Every game has been hard there but we have done all right there recently."