Fletcher dreams of Scots in Russian Federation as Southgate hopes for evolution

“There was a lot of pressure on us to win on Thursday against a team that were physically stronger than us and against 10 men which was hard”.

The Slovenians are missing two of their more established players in the form of suspended Italian-based duo Rene Krhin and Valter Birsa but they have graced major tournaments in more recent memory than Scotland and Gordon’s opposite number, Jan Oblak of Atletico Madrid, is one of the most highly-rated goalkeepers in the world.

However, visiting goalkeeper Martin Dubravka looked set to break Scottish hearts as he pulled off a string of incredible saves, while Leigh Griffiths and substitute Chris Martin both struck the crossbar.

Team’s strength and weakness: Gordon Strachan’s side created goal-scoring chances through individual efforts and long shots.

‘It’s massive – but we will play the game and not the occasion.

England have secured automatic qualification from UEFA Group F following their 1-0 victory over Slovenia, but Scotland now occupy second place with only one match remaining.

Scotland was earlier handed a huge boost after only 23 minutes when Slovakia’s Robert Mak was sent off, receiving a second yellow card for diving.

“I think fans now all know how hard this will be”, said Strachan. The 14 boys changed the result from a draw into a victory.

“It says a lot about their fitness”.

“But we know we have the power to keep running and the mental strength to keep doing what we want to do”.

“I landed on my arm and then I couldn’t really feel anything so I was anxious a bone might be broken but the doctor seems quite happy with things. We had all these great performances and the footballing gods have chose to give us a victory”.

“I’ve not thought about it”, he added.

Martin Skrtel gave up an own goal in the 89th minute to put Scotland ahead.

“Thursday was win-or-bust and Sunday will be the same”, Sky Sports News quotes him as saying.

‘We kept knocking down the door and finally got the goal.

“I’m not getting any younger”.

“But being close to them I could see they were really in control of the game, they had a real belief in what they were trying to do”.