Strachan stays in charge of Scotland

LONDON (AP) Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has signed a two-year contract extension, even though his team failed to qualify for the 2016 European Championship.

Scotland finished fourth in its group - behind Germany, Poland and playoff contenders Ireland - and Strachan had been considering his future.

The Scottish FA says Friday it is ''delighted that Gordon has agreed to remain in charge after the unwavering support demonstrated by the Scotland fans throughout the European qualifying campaign.''

The 58-year-old Strachan has led Scotland since 2013.

The former Scotland player says he wants ''to improve on the previous campaign'' and looks forward ''to the (2018) World Cup qualifiers with optimism.''

England, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania and Malta are in Scotland's World Cup qualifying Group F.