Scotland match-winner Ryan Fraser insists Steve Clarke’s side sense the nation is behind them as they bid to end their 23-year wait for major tournament qualification.
Fraser’s goal against the Czech Republic last night gave Scotland their third victory in a week and extended their unbeaten run to eight games, ahead of the European Championship play-off final against Serbia next month.
After a difficult initial period in the job, Clarke has built Scotland into a side brimming with positivity, with three clean sheets accompanying the three wins against the Czechs, Slovakia and Israel.
Even with a squad which has been decimated by injury and illness, the national team have rallied and former Aberdeen man Fraser feels the backing from a fanbase eager to see them make the Euros.
Fraser said: “When you are eight games unbeaten everything feels a lot more positive.
“There is nothing better than a winning feeling. When you have that going into next month, it gives you that extra yard to think we can actually do this.
“The nation and everyone is behind us and everything is really positive at the minute. I’m really looking forward to it.
“We defended well tonight and that gives us confidence that when we come up against these top teams if we can be ourselves we can beat anyone. Everyone has a smile on their face and that is what we want.”
Fraser has started the last two games as a striker alongside Lyndon Dykes and his pace against both Slovakia and Czech Republic has proved problematic for the opposition to deal with.
💪 Ryan Fraser opens the scoring at Hampden.#SCOCZEpic.twitter.com/8ONuvTDKOf
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) October 14, 2020
The Newcastle winger, who missed the last international games in September as he had not yet signed for the Toon, found the net after six minutes at Hampden Park last night for his second Scotland goal.
He added: “It is always nice to score at any level, but to score for Scotland is massive. It is a great achievement and we can take the momentum into next month. We are four points ahead of second, eight games unbeaten and everyone is confident in the dressing room.
“When we score a goal we don’t look like getting beaten. We don’t look like conceding, so having that momentum ahead of next month is huge.
“It was a different type of game. I think I got more of the ball on Sunday to do my stuff. They kept a high line, so tonight was more about using my pace to get in behind them. I just try to do my best whenever I am on the pitch and do my own thing.
“It is a team game and I’m buzzing for the lads as I know how hard we have worked over the last year or two. Next month is massive now.”
