Craig Levein has warned Scotland to be wary of being the victims of a Wales backlash in Friday night's World Cup qualifier.
The home nation head into the clash in Cardiff on the back of a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Serbia in their last game, having also lost their opener to Belgium.
The Scots are also seeking a positive result after taking just two points from their games against Serbia and Macedonia at Hampden last month.
However, Levein knows Chris Coleman's men will be hurting after their heavy defeat and will be out to prove a point.
He said: "Serbia are an excellent side, they really are, and I was pleased with our performance against them.
"I knew it would be extremely difficult for Wales going across there to get any sort of result. It was always going to be a really tough fixture.
"The danger for us, of course, is that Wales get some sort of response from that.
"Every team who has a poor result generally comes out for the next match full of determination to prove that wrong."
Levein is boosted by the return of Darren Fletcher, Steven Fletcher and Scott Brown to his squad - all for very different reasons.
However, the Scotland boss was keeping tight-lipped about his starting line-up, having previously publicly named his team for matches 24 hours before kick-off.
He said: "I try to pick the best team possible for every game.
"What pleases me immensely is the quality and strength in depth that we have for this particular fixture and for the Belgium game.
"I always put pressure on myself to make the right decisions, that's what management is all about.
"We have a really strong group of players just now and we have prepared excellently this week so we are just itching to get started."
Meanwhile, Levein played down a so-called spat between his player Charlie Adam and Wales star man Gareth Bale.
Bale reportedly called Adam a 'coward' after being injured for a second time in July by the Stoke midfielder, then playing for Liverpool, during a friendly against Tottenham.
Levein said: "I don't really know an awful lot about it to be honest.
"I believe the challenges were accidental and these things happen in football. I'm not in the slightest bit worried about that."
His thoughts were echoed by skipper Darren Fletcher, who said: "Knowing Charlie and speaking to Charlie, there was no intent to injure Gareth Bale.
"It's just been unfortunate there have been two incidents.
"I think maybe Gareth and Tottenham have spoken about it more than Charlie has, I think Charlie is just trying to get on with seeing it as an unfortunate incident.
"He will be fully concentrated on his game and will have no hesitations about making challenges or tackles on Gareth Bale.
"He will go and win the ball like he does on every occasion, no matter who it is, and try to win it as fairly as possible."
