Shaun Maloney Scotland are still miles behind the Auld Enemy

Contradictions, like kilts and carry-outs, were in plentiful supply on the road with Scotland during the week.

In losing at Wembley to the Auld Enemy, Gordon Strachan’s side confirmed the country’s place in the grand scheme of things.

England are, after all, almost certainly heading for Brazil and the 2014 World Cup Finals.

The Dark Blues, on the other hand, are still recuperating from what was a calamitous qualifying campaign.

Yet if there was enough evidence in the 3-2 defeat for the Tartan Army to feel progress is being made, as Shaun Maloney pointed out in London Underground terms there is still plenty reason to ‘Mind The Gap’.

“There is still a long way to go until we can get close to England,” he said.

“I think the gulf between the two teams is pretty big.

“I am not just talking about the FIFA Rankings, but also the experience and confidence their players have gained from qualifying for major Finals.

“They are top-quality footballers, the majority of whom play for the top six English Premier League clubs.

“There were times during the game at Wembley where we narrowed the gulf. But we can still improve, particularly on the ball, we are a lot more organised now.

“I know it might come across as negative at times, but particularly going to Croatia and to Wembley, you are going to have to set up pretty defensively.”

As the Wigan Athletic midfielder admitted, all that hard work shutting down time and space can easily be undone if players fail to pick up their men at free-kicks and corners.

“Kenny Miller’s goal was brilliant, said Maloney.

“It just gave us a massive lift, and at 2-1 up it definitely felt as if the chance was there for us to win the game.

“So to concede from a set-piece was gutting, really difficult to take, and then the third goal was the same story all over again.

“It is something we certainly need to remedy.”

If improved organisation and basic mistakes sit uneasily together, it is likewise tricky for a Scotland player to ever be too positive about a loss to England.

“From the Wales game, which was as bad as a lot of us have felt in a national shirt, we are now back to the point where we are proud to be part of the national squad,” said Maloney.

“The last couple of games have seen a little progression, with the win in Croatia a definite confidence boost.

“Hopefully the games against Belgium and Macedonia next month will be in a similar vein.

“It is important because when the next campaign comes round, it will be a necessity we start well if we are to qualify outright for Euro 2016 or at least finish in the top two.

“They are two tough games, with Belgium top of the Group for a reason.

“But if we are organised and turn in a similar work-rate as the last two games, then it will definitely give us a better chance.”