Darren Fletcher backs Scotland for Euros history as former skipper says Steve Clarke's heroes can go even further

Darren Fletcher reckons this Scotland squad can become history makers by reaching the knockout stages of Euro 2024.

No Scotland side has ever made it past the group stage of a major tournament. But former skipper Fletcher, who never even got to grace a World Cup or Euros despite winning 80 caps for his country, has backed Steve Clarke’s stars to go further than any previous side and get through the first round.

The Manchester United technical director has been blown away by the standard set in qualifying where Spain were dumped at Hampden amid a five-game winning run to start the campaign. That itself was a best ever. And Fletcher reckons they should be targeting more records by getting through their group. He said: “I genuinely think they can do that and that can be the goal. I’m not putting any pressure on them but I think this team are capable of, especially if they get a good seeing position, getting out the group.

“Go and create history, this is what these lads should go and do, no-one would be more happy than me. No Scotland team has got out of a group stage at a major tournament and that should be their ambition.

“I’m sure they will down play it and say it’s great to be there but when they’re there they should definitely be ambitious. But I hope if it doesn’t happen that people don’t hold it against them.”

Much has been made of the Premier League quality throughout Clarke’s squad with the likes of Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, Aaron Hickey, John McGinn and Billy Gilmour playing key roles in qualification.

And Fletcher said: “It’s one of the best league in the world, it’s a high, high level and we’ve got players competing and doing really well at clubs throughout the league.

“The competition for places is there,