Sympathetic Fletcher backs unlucky Marshall

Published on Thursday 19 August 2004 12:56

DARREN FLETCHER today expressed his sympathy for David Marshall after the young goalkeeper endured a luckless Scotland debut.

The Celtic shot-stopper conceded three goals to Hungary last night, the last of which was a bizarre own goal which saw a clearance from Hearts’ Steven Pressley deflect off his back and into the net.

The 19-year-old had twice earlier been beaten by full-back Szabolcs Huszti, who first scored from the penalty spot and then rattled in a spectacular 30-yarder off the post.

There wasn’t much Marshall could do about any of the goals and Fletcher, who struggled to produce his Manchester United form in midfield, insisted the keeper deserved only sympathy after a miserable night at Hampden.

He said: "There’s nothing at all we can take from the game. It was a disappointing performance from everyone. We let ourselves, the manager and the fans down.

"But I feel most sorry for young Marshy. His Scotland debut is going to be remembered as a 3-0 defeat yet you couldn’t fault him for any of the goals.

"The first was a soft penalty which he had no chance of stopping and the second was a wonder goal which came after they played a one-two round me in midfield. The third was just unlucky but it was just one of those nights.

"He’s a talented young keeper though and I think he showed that through a couple of the other saves he pulled off in the game."

Fletcher was deployed in a midfield ‘diamond’ system alongside Hibs’ Gary Caldwell, Nigel Quashie and captain Barry Ferguson but Berti Vogts’ tactical ploy did not work and the coach switched to a 4-3-3 formation in the second half.

Instead of the switch improving matters though, the team looked even more ragged after the interval.

Fletcher acknowledged the display was well below the required standard but couldn’t help feeling matters might have been different had he been awarded a penalty just before the Hungarians were handed their own dubious spot-kick on the cusp of half-time.

He added: "The penalty really knocked the stuffing out of us and the timing of it wasn’t ideal either, coming right before half-time.

"We had a penalty claim just before that when I was fouled. I was definitely caught but whether it was inside the box or not I’m not sure.

"The referee chose to play on, though, and they have been given a pretty soft one at the other end.

"The Hungarians’ confidence was upped by that and ours just seemed to disappear."