SFA must find a role for true patriot Fletch
DARREN FLETCHER may have worn a Scotland shirt for the last time.
But whatever way the SFA shake up the management set-up, they must make sure he is involved in some capacity.
Gordon Strachan rubbed a few people up the wrong way with his statements about fans not hurting as much as players after the World Cup exit.
Try telling that to the family who didn’t get a holiday this year because the old man spent the cash following the team to Lithuania and Slovenia over the past six weeks.
But when it comes to Fletcher, Strachan had a point. He was the last man out of the dressing room last Sunday night and pain was written on his face. Pure and utter despair.
For some he epitomises the failures of Scotland. Given a debut in 2003, he has now played in seven full campaigns where Scotland have failed to qualify.
On Sunday, despite a brilliant first-half display in Slovenia, he gave away the free-kick then lost his runner to let the hosts score an equaliser.
That had nothing to do with genetics. That was a man losing concentration at a set-piece.
But if you concentrate on such matters you are doing the guy a massive disservice and ignoring the bigger picture.
Fletcher has been an inspiration to players in the squad all his days. Not because he was a first pick for Sir Alex Ferguson at Man United and played at the top level for 15 years.
But because of his conduct. The way he trains and carries himself.
You don’t see Fletcher on the front pages or involved in bad situations. This is a man who played through serious illness because he didn’t want to let anyone down.
There have been guys who let’s just say haven’t been prepared to go the whole road in his time. Guys for whom an injury suddenly appeared and a call was made from their club basically because they couldn’t be bothered.
It happened in the past and still does. Libel means we can’t name them but they know who they are.
Fletcher didn’t miss a thing. Friendlies, qualifiers when we were already out.
No fancy toilet bag, no daft tattoos, no stupid
No daft tattoos, no big ego, just a guy who is willing to give his all for Scotland
haircuts, no big ego. Just a guy willing to give his all for Scotland.
Folk like him are priceless. You could get men from the Tartan Army with the same passion but they’ll never have played at the level or had the footballing experiences Fletcher has.
Strachan has gone, same as Berti Vogts, Walter Smith, Alex McLeish, George Burley and Craig Levein.
But Fletcher should never be allowed to go. Whether he plays or not he’s got too much to offer.
He must get a coaching or advisory role if he wants one.