Craig Levein is looking to players picked for his Scotland sides to show as much dedication as tennis player Andy Murray when they meet up for his first game in charge. New national team manager Levein is a huge admirer of British number one Murray, who is playing for the Australian Open final this morning. Levein said: "I think he is an example, not just to youngsters who want to play tennis but to professional people. The amount of hours that he puts in in practise, that should be an example to everybody, including football players. Every Scottish football player will know of the achievements of Andy Murray."

Levein celebrated a month in charge this week by making the draw for the fifth round of the Emirates Junior Cup. He said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to be the Scotland manager and I'm working very, very hard, first and foremost to try to make sure that we get a decent result against the Czech Republic and try to get everybody available if we can. We've got the (EURO2012) draw next week as well."

Before finally giving into pressure to take the national job, Levein was worried that the boredom factor from not having a day-to-day involvement on the coaching field would impact on his abilities. he has had second thoughts since starting work at Hampden. He said: "I got that one wrong! I've taken over with the draw coming up and also I feel that I need to get round and try to speak to as many people as possible, managers and players - and then there's a game. After the game on March 3, I hope things will settle down a bit. I'm very positive about this job. I'm enthusiastic and I feel that a lot of people have written Scotland off and feel that we aren't a threat on an international stage and I just want to prove everybody wrong."

Levein will have a familiar face and voice beside him on the training pitch and dug out for the game against Czech Republic. He will be joined by long-time lieutenant Peter Houston who was formally appointed Levein's successor at Dundee United this week. One of the questions Houston wanted answered before taking on the reins at Tannadice was that he could work with Levein again in his new role. Dundee United chairman Stephen Thomson was happy to give permission for Houston to help his old boss for his first game in charge of Scotland. Levein said: "I'm very pleased. We've worked together since the year 2000 and I would love to have brought him here in a full-time capacity but there just isn't a job. I'm very much looking forward to meeting up with him again and working with him in March. He'll just be doing what he always did - looking after me and making me look good!"