Darren Fletcher has called on Scotland to make Hampden Park a 'fortress' in World Cup qualifying

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Darren Fletcher during Scotland training on Friday
Darren Fletcher during Scotland training on Friday

Darren Fletcher wants Hampden Park "rocking" for the visit of Lithuania as Scotland aim to make the national stadium a "fortress" during their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Scotland go into their first home qualifier on a high following their 5-1 triumph in Malta and Fletcher wants to see that reflected in the stands.

The captain recognises the threat posed by the improving visitors and has urged his team-mates and the Tartan Army to take the initiative on Saturday.

The West Brom midfielder said: "The expectations should be that we go and win the game. Our fans expect a lot of us and that's great.

"But the biggest thing is to get behind us and support us and help us achieve that. We need everyone pushing together.

A 19-year-old Darren Fletcher scores for Scotland against Lithuania in October, 2003
A 19-year-old Darren Fletcher scores for Scotland against Lithuania in October, 2003

"We need Hampden rocking, we need to make it a fortress, a place that teams don't like to come.

"That's a combination of us going out there and setting a tempo and the fans getting behind us as well.

"Look, we are going in to win the game as we do every game. We have always got a game plan to win.

"We are expected to win and to take the game to the opposition, and we will do that, but we do have to be cautious as well. It's a long 90 minutes."

Scotland vs Lithuania

October 8, 2016, 7:00pm

Live on Sky Sports 2 HD

Fletcher will make his 75th international appearance against the team that were on the receiving end of his first Scotland goal.

The-then 19-year-old volleyed home the only goal of a tight contest in October 2003, which set up a European Championship play-off against Holland.

Fletcher added: "It's one of five goals so it's high up there, to score on your home debut, to come off the bench and score a winner to take you to the play-offs, it was a fantastic moment.

We need Hampden rocking, we need to make it a fortress, a place that teams don't like to come.

Darren Fletcher

"I look back on it with great pride when I see it. I will look back on these things at the end of my career but right now it's all about qualifying, that's what all my energy and focus are going on."

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Source : skysports[dot]com

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