Scotland captain Darren Fletcher has insisted that his side's Group F clash with England on Friday is not a must-win game.

Scotland currently sit fourth in their World Cup qualifying group, three points behind leaders England after three matches.

Defeat at Wembley would leave them further off the pace to reach the 2018 tournament in Russia, but Fletcher insists that it will not be a make-or-break encounter.

"It is Scotland versus England at Wembley and as a Scotsman and Scottish football player it doesn't get much bigger. That it is a competitive game to try to qualify for the World Cup, makes it even that more significant and what a fantastic occasion it is going to be and one that I am thankful I am going to be involved in," he told reporters.

"I am looking forward to it immensely. After the last two games it is a massive game in terms of impact in the group. We are still involved, it is still quite tight.

"I don't think it is a must-win or anything like that but if we can get a result down here - not that we are playing for a draw - we are still involved in the group with big games coming up in 2017."

Fletcher also defended under-fire England skipper Wayne Rooney, claiming that his former Manchester United teammate remains world class.