GEORGE BURLEY refused to call Scotland’s friendly with Japan pointless – despite fielding a patched up side and never looking like getting anything in Yokohama.

Christophe Berra’s 80th minute own goal and Keisuke Honda’s simple strike moments later sent Scotland crashing to an expected defeat in the Far East.

Scotland travelled to Yokohama without ten first team players after a wave of injuries rocked Burley’s preparations and left Japanese coach Takeshi Okada questioning the meaningfulness of the fixture.

In return Okada too fielded an under strength squad but Burley insists there are plenty of things he can take from Scotland’s make-shift outing in Japan.

"It was a game where the education you get from coming to places like this is tremendous,” said Burley.

“The journey wasn't a problem to us and the players gave their all, so it was certainly a worthwhile exercise.

"When you're only talking about four or five games now before we play in the European Championship qualifiers, it's important we have a look at players.

"As a team, they were excellent at times and gave everything they had. There were two or three outstanding performances from the newcomers.”