But the striker admits the nature of tonight's defeat to world champions Spain was a bigger blow to take after fighting back from two goals down only to lose 3-2 at Hampden.

Miller's omission against Czech Republic dominated the build-up to the match in Prague, where he earned his 50th cap after coming off the bench when the Scots were already trailing in a game they went on to lose 1-0.

He was thrilled to be back in the manager's plans for the visit of the Group I leaders tonight only to be crushed by the outcome.

"It was disappointing not to play on Friday night," admitted Miller.

"That's just my nature, I want to play in every game. Sitting the game out on that particular night, with my 50th cap and things, was disappointing.

"But you've got to take these things on the chin. The manager is paid to make decisions and he decided to go the way he went.

"I was delighted tonight to be back in and I'm just disappointed with the result."

David Villa converted from the penalty spot just before half-time after Steven Whittaker - who was later sent-off - was deemed to have handled in the box.

Andres Iniesta doubled the advantage in the second half before Scotland staged an incredible comeback when Steven Naismith pulled a goal back and Gerard Pique netted an own-goal.

But Fernando Llorente came off the bench to seal the win with 11 minutes to go.

Miller added: "There was obviously disappointment in the dressing room afterwards, when you go two goals down to a team like Spain and you get yourself back into the game and you're on the up.

"We could maybe have gone on to get a third. The manner in which we lost the goals was disappointing and the penalty was a bit harsh against Whitts.

"I think we have shown we can cope against teams like that, although the result was disappointing."

The defeat means Scotland have slipped to third in the section but Miller believes tonight's efforts are proof they should not be written off just yet.

He said: "We have shown the spirit before when we got a last-gasp goal in the last game at Hampden against Liechtenstein.

"A lot of teams might have crumbled going 2-0 down to the world champions and a team like Spain.

"But not us, we fought back and got two fantastic goals. At that point we thought we could maybe go on to win the game but losing that third goal was a killer blow.

"We went down to 10 men and they saw the game out and kept the ball and made us work hard to get it back.

"Most teams in the group will probably look upon these games as bonus games, if you can get anything from them, they are bonus points. We've got to win our home games and we've got to win in Liechtenstein. If we can do that, then I don't think we will be far away.

"If we can play the way we did tonight against the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Liechtenstein, then I don't think we've got much to fear.

"Reproducing that display is going to be tough and they will be hard games. But if we can win our two home games and win away in Liechtenstein I don't think we will be far away from second spot."