"You learn a lot from the Italians. There is no team worse than them for kicking you and winding you up as I found out," he told the Daily Record.
"It was great preparation for the Germans to play against a similar sort of side.
"I have to become used to playing against that. When I first came into the side I found that treatment hard to handle but I have learned to keep my cool.
"Alan has already given me some advice and has always been an encouragement for me. So I am looking forward to it very much and hopefully we'll get a result."