Fletch admits he couldn’t even watch
NO wonder Steven Fletcher could hardly watch. The Sheffield Wednesday striker is a veteran of many Scotland squads who missed out on playoff places in the most agonising of circumstances – so it is hardly a surprise if he feared history was about to repeat itself again as Israel chased the single goal which would have seen them book Nations League promotion and a Euro 2020 play-off place at our expense.
Thankfully, Allan McGregor came up with a crucial save to defy Tomer Hemed, and the likes of Scott McKenna and Co got their head on every cross-ball going.
“I was probably creating that tension on the bench when I came off,” said Fletcher. “I was watching through my fingers thinking: ‘Not again’.
“But these boys have no fear, which is great to see.
“I see it in training, they just pass the ball about so well. And you saw big Scott McKenna striding out at the end with the ball. That shows the confidence these young boys have.
“It lifts everything. There was a big grey cloud hanging over us. But this changes that, especially the Albania win, which was emphatic. Leaking that goal to Israel at the end was a bit disappointing, to have won 3-1 would have been nice. But we held on in the end.”
Fletcher admitted he thought his chances of reaching a major senior finals had probably evaporated.
But even at 31, he believes there is plenty left in the tank yet.
“I have just come back from knee surgery,” he said. “So I thought that was me. But I have come back and while I wouldn’t say I am a new man I feel very strong and fitter than I have been.”