Hibs' Fletcher delighted with Scotland goal

Published on Thursday 2 April 2009 09:52

HIBS star Steven Fletcher today spoke of his delight at scoring his first international goal, the strike which keeps Scotland's dream of playing in next summer's World Cup finals alive.

The Easter Road striker rose to nod the ball beyond Iceland goalkeeper Gunnleifur Gunnleifsson to send Hampden into a frenzy only minutes after Indrioi Sigurdsson had silenced the Tartan Army by cancelling out Ross McCormack's opener. And George Burley's side grimly held on to the precious lead Fletcher had given them, ex-Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon pulling off a stunning double save in the dying seconds to secure second place in their qualifying group.

Today Fletcher admitted scoring in a dark blue jersey was a dream come true, saying: "I'm delighted, I've always just wanted to play for Scotland but to score was brilliant.

"The ball came across, Stephen McManus put it back across goal and I got my head to it. It was a great feeling to see the ball hit the back of the net and I was delighted we went on to get the three points."

Mixu Paatelainen was just as happy to see the 21-year-old score, the Hibs boss having the added joy of learning Easter Road star Jonatan Johansson had scored for the second game running, netting the opener for Finland against Norway last night having done exactly the same in Saturday's World Cup qualifying tie in Wales.

He said: "It was fantastic to see Fletch score his first goal for Scotland, I am really pleased for him. Hopefully he will return to us feeling on top of the world and will get on the score sheet again when we play Dundee United on Saturday."

Paatelainen also believes Fletcher will have gained some invaluable experience playing against Icelandic skipper and Portsmouth defender Hermann Hreidarsson in the 77 minutes he played last night.

"Hreidarsson is a very good defensive player who isn't easy to play against but I thought Fletch worked really hard and did well against him," he said.

While Fletcher's goal ensured victory, Johansson and his Finnish team-mates went down 3-2 in Oslo's Ullevaal Stadium in a friendly against Norway, who are Scotland's next opponents.

But, while the match ended in disappointment, Paatelainen believes two goals in four days will do Johansson, who has yet to score for Hibs, no harm at all. He said: "That's what you like to see, your players scoring goals.

"We've created a lot of chances recently but haven't scored too many, although we have players who can certainly do that. I'm not going to say that just because Fletch and JJ have scored for their countries they'll definitely score for us on Saturday. But they are capable, they have enough ability and get themselves into positions to put the ball into the net, so I am sure the goals will come."