MX23RW : Friday, November 8 20:52:14| >> :600:97440:97440:

Darren Fletcher: 'Scotland face difficult task to end 20-year tournament wait'

Darren Fletcher talks up Scotland's chances of ending their 20-year wait for tournament football, but admits that it will be tough to come out on top in Group F.

Scotland skipper Darren Fletcher has conceded that his side face a "difficult" prospect in qualifying for the World Cup in two years' time.

Gordon Strachan's men get their campaign up and running on Sunday evening when taking on Malta at the Ta'Qali Stadium, aiming to end their 20-year wait to reach a major tournament.

Fletcher, who was handed the captain's armband following Scott Brown's recent retirement from the international game, admits that the pressure is now on to start rewarding fans for their loyal support down the years.

"It's a difficult group but not impossible and we fancy our chances," he told reporters. "There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic. I know the fans will be. We've got nearly 5,000 coming here and they always get behind the players.

"Their support is really appreciated because they have had a lot of disappointment over the years and to keep turning up in the numbers they do and keep that support for the players on the pitch is great.

"I've been in the squad a long time and never heard boos. It makes it extra special and we urge them to stick with us because they'll be vitally important if we do want to qualify."

Scotland are in Group F for World Cup 2018 qualifying, along with England, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania and opening-game opponents Malta.

ID:280640: cacheID:280640:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2301:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Scott Brown of Scotland gestures during the International Friendly match between England and Scotland at Wembley Stadium on August 14, 2013
Read Next:
Strachan: 'We're still strong without Brown'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Bengals
34-35
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!