John McGinn says Scotland will be “lucky to lose friendlies for the next 10 years” if it means they qualify for every major tournament.
The national team was booed after being defeated 1-0 by Japan in their first World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park on Saturday.
Manager Steve Clarke was “disappointed” by the response as his side returned to action for the first time since qualification was confirmed against Denmark in November.
Scotland have won just one of their last 10 friendlies, but before facing Ivory Coast at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, McMcGinn was keen to focus on the positives.
“I would be happy to lose friendlies to get to a major tournament for the next 10 years, that’s the reality,” he said.
Scotland lost 1-0 to Japan at Hampden Park.
“I think there needs to be some balance. I understand both sides of the story, but I’m sure the director and the people involved will be criticized for not giving people a chance.”
“We have to be aware of the standards of the teams we play for.
“We can get angry, we can throw bodies forward and be ashamed, and that will be a fitting boo.
“The onus is on us to get the bums off the bench and try to take the game to the team, but we also have to be careful.
“Whether some people enjoy it or not as the years go by, I think that’s what got us where we are and what made us successful.”
Middlesbrough’s Tommy Conway made his first start for Scotland against Japan.
Tuesday night’s game will be Scotland’s first time facing Ivory Coast and McGinn, who has 84 caps for his country, believes it will be another good test.
“This is a completely different challenge for us again,” the 31-year-old added.
“We had the luxury of not playing in the playoffs so it was the first time in a while that we got the chance to play against an African opponent.
“Our main goal is obviously to try and prepare for the Morocco game and this team from Ivory Coast gives us the best opportunity to try and prepare for that.”
“They have a different team style than Japan.
“It will be a big test, but it’s an opportunity for the manager to see some new players and give the players a chance to stake their claim for summer action.”
“The priority is to get minutes into the players’ legs and give people a chance to show what they can do by the summer. That’s the priority for these two games.”
Full Scotland squad:
goalkeeper: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest), Liam Kelly (Rangers)
Defender: Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al Etipak), Dom Higham (Wrexham), Ross McCrory (Bristol City), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souta (Rangers), Kieran Tierney (Celtic).
Midfielder: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), Andy Irving (Sparta Prague), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Naples), Lennon Miller (Udinese)
transmission: Che Adams (Torino), Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough), Findlay Curtis (Kilmarnock), Lyndon Dykes (Charlton Athletic), George Hurst (Ipswich).
