Scotland skipper Darren Fletcher back to his best

DARREN FLETCHER believes he’s back to his best and ready to lead the demolition of Gibraltar en route to Euro 2016.

Darren FletcherWillie Vass

Darren Fletcher believes he's back to his best

The Scotland skipper reckons it has been five years since he felt first-rate, and also believes his return to top form has arrived perfectly for his national side as the qualifying campaign for the France finals enters a crucial phase.

Scotland can move level on points with Poland at the top of Group D on Sunday with a win against the minnows at Hampden – if the Poles lose to Ireland in Dublin later the same day.

While West Brom’s Fletcher would settle for any type of victory, he knows a confident performance packed with goals would tee up the nation for the biggest game of the year – an away clash against Ireland on June 13.

Fletcher – Scotland’s man of the match in Wednesday’s victory over Northern Ireland – said: “It’s been a long time since I felt this good playing for Scotland. You’re probably going back four or five years.

“But there’s more to come. I feel stronger with every 90 minutes.

“Qualifying for a tournament has always been the goal and it still is.

“It’s an exciting time. We’re in a great position in the group but the hard work is still to come.

“I’ve been there before when we’ve been in good positions but fallen at the last hurdle. I’d take 1-0 against Gibraltar. Winning is the most important thing.

“You saw against Northern Ireland it can become a long night when you create chances but don’t score. Fans and players get impatient.

“We have to take the game to Gibraltar and try to get that first goal as early as possible.

“The game becomes a little bit easier. But, if it doesn’t come, we have to show the patience we did on Wednesday night.

“We can learn from that game that we don’t have to force it, maybe play more side to side to create gaps. Fans don’t want to see that but sometimes it has to be done.

“Also, though, we have people who have a real desire to keep going and keep trying.

“That takes courage as well, when you maybe try to pass it forward and it doesn’t come off. You have to be brave to do it again and a lot of our players showed that.”

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