YOUNG BLOOD
Strachan has no fear of f ielding Burke and other bright Scots colts in the opening battle in Malta
GORDON STRACHAN has insisted he will not be afraid to throw Scotland’s best youngsters into making competitive debuts in the heat of a World Cup qualifying opener in Malta tonight.
The national coach has been enthralled by the performances of Scotland’s most expensive player, Oliver Burke, as well as Barrie McKay, John McGinn and Callum Paterson in training through the week.
That has placed all four in contention to feature, despite their inexperience, as Scotland seek to open up a campaign with a victory for the first time since a 2006 win over the Faroe Islands.
The prospect of unleashing Burke, a stunning £13million capture by Bundesliga new boys Red Bull Leipzig, is the one sure to excite the Tartan Army at the dawn of a new campaign.
And Strachan gave them hope by hinting he would have no qualms about starting with at least one of the quartet who, between them, have amassed just five caps in friendlies last spring.
‘All the young lads have added something,’ said Strachan. ‘Callum Paterson has been great, Barrie McKay is different from (James) Forrest. He passes away, sees passes that other people can’t see.
‘His touch is fantastic. He’s a bonus. John McGinn has dealt with different things to get where he is now and starred against Denmark. It’s not affected him. Ollie has had to have pressure with the price.
‘I wouldn’t have any hesitation in picking the guys I’ve named. If they just take what they’ve shown in training and what they’ve shown at their clubs into international level then it’s looking good.
‘Tony (Watt) has come in and done well, too. Sometimes if you’re going in as a youngster, it’s better as maybe one or two of you rather than three or four because there are people next to you to say: “Don’t worry, son, you’re okay. But, as a manager, you think: “I can improve this team all the time”. So that’s what we’re trying to do.’
DARREN FLETCHER sets out on his eighth qualifying campaign tonight, back as Scotland captain and in no mood to copy peers and pals by naming the day his proud international service will come to an end.
His friend from Manchester United and 2018 World Cup rival Wayne Rooney has declared this will be his final tournament as an England player.
And Fletcher’s predecessor as skipper with Scotland, midfield colleague Scott Brown, bailed out to concentrate on Celtic at the count of 50 caps only a few weeks ago.
After he has earned his 74th cap in Malta this evening, Fletcher will only have George Young, Billy Bremner and Gary McAllister ahead of him in terms of the number of matches a player has skippered Scotland.
On the eve of Scotland’s opening Group F fixture, Fletcher admits those are milestones that will matter to him and his family, but leading his country to Russia would be the ultimate landmark to reach.
Fletcher, who has twin boys Jack and Tyler, said: ‘For me, I think that you are a long time retired and you want to have nice memories. When I look back it will be nice to say I’ve captained Scotland this many times in history or whatever. That’s nice to look back on with your family, kids and, one day, grandchildren.
‘As you get older you reach all these landmarks and it’s nice. It doesn’t reflect on how good you are as a player. It doesn’t mean I’m better than guys I’ve overtaken. That will give you a bit more scope to brag as you can’t do that when you’re just walking down the street.
‘The kids are now more aware of stats than I am and it’s great when you have kids that know everything about the game! I’m not putting a timeframe on it. I don’t see any reason why I can’t carry on.
‘I don’t think about my age. I don’t feel old. I feel as if I can sit here for a good few years making a contribution, qualifying for a tournament and talking about making another one. I’m not saying I’m ever going to be 26 again. I’m 32. But I’d back my fitness levels against most people.’
Fletcher’s appointment was an automatic choice for Gordon Strachan once Brown quit. Since becoming the youngest-ever Scotland captain at the age of 20 against Estonia in 2004, Fletcher has never been far from the role of group leader — even if only starting two games in the Euro 2016 effort.
Fletcher explained: ‘There have been unique circumstances. I initially went out ill, a new manager came in and Broony did a great job as captain. Now Scott’s not here, unfortunately, and it’s back to me. I’ve not changed. I’m exactly the same as I’ve always been.
‘I’ll do things the same as I did in the last campaign. I’ll still speak and try to be a
leader. I was always there to speak in the dressing room. We’re all singing from the same hymn sheet as the manager and have the same objective — to qualify.
‘I didn’t really think about quitting. You just think about your input. I wasn’t starting every game but I was still involved. I felt as if I was contributing. The manager thought I was contributing and wanted me there.
‘Other people were performing well rather than me playing badly. I accepted that. Then things change quickly in football. I’m happy to still be here. I won’t look beyond this because this is the only campaign that matters right now.’
Strachan, Scotland’s longest-serving boss since Berti Vogts was dismissed 12 years ago, takes charge of his 30th game this evening with Fletcher highlighting stability at management level as a positive.
‘We all believe it is our time,’ said Fletcher. ‘There was disappointment last time out, but there are positives to build on. We haven’t had continuity of manager for a while. Either they’ve left the job halfway through a campaign or been taken by a club.
‘Now we know what this manager expects. We know what he’s about. We’re not starting from scratch, we’re building on what went before. Hopefully with young players and that injection of exuberance we can win that extra match, get that extra performance.’