Saturday 28 May 2016 21:21, UK
Scotland manager Gordon Strachan says his players should relish the opportunity to take on the might of Italy and France this summer.
Strachan's side face Antonio Conte's side in a friendly in Malta on Sunday night as the Italians continue their preparations for Euro 2016.
The Scots then take on France in Metz on June 4 in what is the host nation's final warm-up match before their tournament opener against Albania on June 15.
Scotland will be the only British side not present at the Euros following a disappointing qualifying campaign and Strachan has urged his players to make the most of their only opportunity to face "world-class" opponents.
"Is it brave? You have to play good sides in international football and it's exciting rather than brave," Strachan said.
"The young players and the experienced guys that we have, get to play against world-class players."
Strachan has chosen a new-look youthful squad for the two friendlies, possibly with one eye on the start of the 2018 World Cup qualification campaign later this year.
Callum Patterson, Oliver Burke, John McGinn, Stephen Kingsley, Barrie McKay and Jack Hamilton are all still eligible for the Scotland U21s.
And Strachan is hoping his younger players will gain valuable experience from their first taste of senior international football.
"You look to see if they are comfortable first of all in the squad," added Strachan. "Are they adaptable? Because some come from systems that are a bit different to the way we play.
"And then the real test is can they stand up and enjoy the game? Are they comfortable in the game, can they enjoy the game, can they take something from it?
"It would be easier for us to take a lesser team but would we really have learnt a lot from that? Because the last couple of years we have played some tremendous sides and we have to be prepared for that."
