Snoddy: We can still top the group

ROBERT SNODGRASS insists Scotland have not yet given up hope of toppling England to win Group F and qualify directly for the World Cup. Gordon Strachan’s side are gearing up for Saturday’s Battle of Britain showdown at Hampden, knowing a win will take them to within three points of their derby rivals in the race to Russia 2018.

And West Ham attacker Snodgrass, left, is adamant

that not only can the Scots turn Gareth Southgate’s side over on home soil – but that they can go on to pip them to the top of the group and avoid the potential peril of the play-offs for Russia 2018.

Snodgrass said: “That was our objective at the start.

“It wasn’t to just fight for second place.

“You saw in our last game against England we had a lot of chances and if we didn’t believe we would never have got those chances.

“We have always believed we could go for automatic qualification but when you take hits and have to take a step back you then need to try to take two forward.

“We want to get there automatically, we want to beat England and we want to kick on.”

Snodgrass believes a full house at Hampden can help roar Scotland to glory.

He said: “Everybody will have a big influence. The atmosphere down at Wembley was terrific, the Scotland fans especially.

“Now we are at home let’s strive forward everybody, full nation and country behind us. We will need everybody to be at their very best, fans included, to get that result.”