Scotland manager Gordon Strachan believes friendly matches against Italy and France will be of benefit to his side in the long-run.

The Dark Blues are in Metz to face Didier Deschamps' side ahead of their European Championships campaign, which kicks off in Paris on June 10.

Strachan's team suffered an insipid 1-0 defeat to Malta last weekend, with Scotland failing to register a single shot on target as they put up a feeble fight against Antonio Conte's men.

The performance prompted questions over the true worth of the friendlies, but Strachan insists that they will be worthwhile.

"I am glad we took the four games on, glad we are playing France because I wouldn't like to have left after the Italy game with two days of training," said the former Celtic and Southampton manager.

"That will be of benefit. Only time will tell if it has helped us to qualify for the World Cup.

"We have had two results, one defeat, one goal against. We would love to have played better football but we are experimenting, finding things out.

"While other teams are practising for the Euros, we can practise for the World Cup, we are three-quarters of the way through it.

"We have learned so much about the new players and been able to discuss, and get on the coaching field to work on playing against new systems in order to get these problems sorted so that when we come together in late August we are ready for it."