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Steven Fletcher added to squad for Iceland match



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Published Date: 08 September 2008
SCOTLAND boss George Burley has added Hibernian striker Steven Fletcher to his squad for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier in Iceland.
Fletcher has been promoted from the Under-21s after scoring twice in a 3-1 win over Slovenia last Thursday.

Fletcher comes into the squad as Burley monitors the fitness of Rangers forward Kenny Miller and full-back Graham Alexander.

The pair both suffered knocks in Saturday's defeat in Macedonia but Stephen McManus is fit after overcoming an ankle problem.

West Brom's James Morrison, who missed out in Macedonia, is again a doubt with an ankle injury.




The full article contains 105 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 08 September 2008 12:24 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Scotland's football team
 
1

the beast,

London 08/09/2008 12:33:22
Fletcher is a natural finisher and thats what Scotland needs, though it pains me to say it.
Just wondering if Burley has the cohene's to play him??
2

Alan B,

08/09/2008 12:59:11
#1 where would you play him. Realistically his best position is where McFadden is currently playing. Can he really lead the line and replace miller.

Fletcher was played wide left in one of the friendlies and did not have a good game. It would be easier to give him a game their but it is not where he is playing for hibs.

You could move McFadden to a wide position. But we have to stop moving him around.

Flecther is maybe a good option to come of the bench. Would allow McFadden to move wide for last 20minutes.
3

Alan B,

08/09/2008 13:00:49
or play a 4-3-3 with fletcher and mcfadden each side of centre forward probably miller.
4

nineinro,

08/09/2008 13:39:26
So he adds the wrong player! The team is crying out for Ross McCormack!
5

Novafone,

08/09/2008 13:57:53
#4

I agree. Surely a better option than Clarkson? Would still include Fletcher though otherwise we'd be very short of any sort of pace.
6

the beast,

London 08/09/2008 14:09:56
Miller run around all day trying to get the ball, just think he's a headless chicken at times, I'd have Fletch for Miller and let McFaddden play wherever he wants, (think he does anyway), Bring the wingers on early with an all out attack and show no fear....
7

Stars in your eyes,

08/09/2008 14:26:37
_McFadden_____S Fletcher_____Miller or Maloney

_______Robson__________Brown_____________

___________Hartley or Stewart____________

_ Caldwell _ McManus__ Barr __ Fletcher__

___________Gordon________________________



8

BigKennyMac,

midlothian via larkhall, drumcree and mancherster. 08/09/2008 14:59:53
The Gers will probably take fletcher in january, even if it is just for our reserves, he will do as a squad player, and will stop him scoring against us when we play hibs.

Money talks these days, and we have more than anybody else.

Big Kenny Bluenose
9

Giuseppe Tortolano,

08/09/2008 15:52:03
WeeFannyBawbag

"Money talks these days, and we have more than anybody else."

If money talks you're gas would be at peep.

Youse cannae afford him.

Oh, nearly forgot....

You're a welt.

10

Giuseppe Tortolano,

08/09/2008 15:54:43
thankfully he won't notice that i've used the wrong word................now repeat after me:

must read comments before posting

must read comments before posting

must read comments before posting
11

nineinro,

08/09/2008 16:53:41
10
Must put flake in cone for 99!

Must put flake in cone for 99!

Don`t give up the day job!
12

Mel Gibson,

08/09/2008 17:28:14
@ 7

why would you play your best midfielder at right back?
13

Media 1,

cape town 08/09/2008 18:19:18
I fear the worst, Scotland are not a good side, but the fans think we are. Thus when the three points slide away from us in Iceland it will seem as if the world has ended.
2010 is a bridge to far. The only realistic chance that Scotland has to qualify for a major tournament is when FIFA increase the world cup to 44 teams and the European Championships to 24. Maybe then we will get there!
14

DandyKhmer,

Zanzibar 08/09/2008 18:35:14
Media 1,

One thing is for certain, if they have your loser attitude they wont be going anywhere.
15

Media 1,

Cape Town 08/09/2008 19:37:06
Dandykhamer

My attitude is not important it is merely pragmatic. But the players will be up for it as they always are.

Problem is this; Whilst the lads are good players who will give their all, they are not good enough to qualify for 2010 as was proved on Saturday.

You cannot qualify for major tournaments when your top national league consists of 12 teams who play one another 4 times. You cannot expect kids to mature into great players when football is not compulsory at schools and you cannot as a nation pretend we are lovers of football when almost every piece of spare ground you find has a "no ball games" sign on it.

It is not rocket science, there are major problems and until they are rectified we are going nowhere slowly.
16

Stars in your eyes,

08/09/2008 20:28:04
#12
Who Darren Fletcher - the best player? You must be joking!
He can do a job defensively, but he is not creative enough. From what I've seen he keeps giving the ball away when he is under pressure. At full back he will have more time. I'm hoping Iceland don't have a tricky winger that will show him up, but I think he is decent as a man marker so he would do a job there.
Hartley is better at the holding role in midfield imo but his form has dipped this season so maybe give Stewart a chance.
You have to make some changes from Saturday don't you think?
17

morris,

edinburgh 08/09/2008 23:13:34
The fact is that Scotland have rarely had a higher FIFA ranking than we have currently.We are not a lost cause by any means . There are no easy teams at this level nowadays and England Italy and quite few others have had to fight against Macedonia. Provided we win our home games we always have a chance and any away points we pick up can put us in contention.
An average of two points per game could be enough to qualify. We are far from finished after one game.

We could play a blinder against Holland and not for the first time !
Anything is possible. Enjoy it while we can !

 

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