CAPTAIN Darren Fletcher believes Andy Murray offers all the inspiration Scotland need for their game against England tonight.
Murray became the number one tennis player in the world last weekend and will be at Wembley with about 14,000 of the Tartan Army for the crucial 2018 World Cup qualifier, with the visitors massive underdogs after taking only four points from their first three Group F games.
However, Fletcher, 32, pointed to Murray’s battle to get to the top of his sport as an example the Scottish players could tap into as they look to get their qualification campaign back on track against the group leaders.
“I think he is coming to the game, which is great,” he said.
“He will be like all the rest of the Scotland supporters I am sure, supporting his country.
“For us he is an inspiration for what he has achieved in tennis.
“He has fought to be the number one tennis player in the world so we can take inspiration from him as a sportsman, showing that there is no real ceiling on what you can achieve if you dedicate yourself.
“If you have real dedication and desire, you can achieve almost what you wish.”
Contrary to popular perception, Fletcher insists the game against England is not must-win.
The West Brom midfielder said: “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.
“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 get a result, not that we are playing for a draw, we are still involved in the group with big games coming in 2017.”
Football: Hope mixes with fear as time approaches for do-or-die tie
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here