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Scotland internationalist Robert Snodgrass has issued a rallying call to the Tartan Army – urging the fans to stick by manager Gordon Strachan and the players.
Scotland return to World Cup qualifying action against Slovenian next Sunday in a game Strachan has described as ‘must-win’ if they are to breathe life into their fading Group F hopes.
Successive 3-0 losses to Slovakia and England have left the team with four points from four games and Strachan faced intense scrutiny over his position following last November’s fruitless trip to Wembley.
West Ham forward Snodgrass insists the support of the fans is crucial if they are to revive their qualifying fortunes.
He said: “Stick with us, that never say die attitude that Scotland has always had.
“Stick with the manager and stick with the lads because we’re working hard when we meet up, we’re always trying to get that one per cent better.
“Sometimes it goes against you, sometimes it goes for you but just stick with us.
“When you lose games against Slovakia and England, you’re going to get the criticism that goes with it.
“We know we need to get back to winning ways.
“The manager is right in what he says with it being a must-win game, the lads know that.”
Strachan has called up midfielders Ryan Fraser, Tom Cairney and Stuart Armstrong for next Wednesday’s friendly against Canada at Easter Road and the Hampden shown with Slovenia and Snodgrass is encouraged by the options in the 30-man pool.
He added: “There’s strength, depth; there’s character, there’s youth, there’s maturity. It’s good for the manager.
“The players that he’s brought into the squad, lads are playing at a good level, lads are scoring goals in the Premier League, lads are scoring goals in the (English) Championship, the Scottish Premiership. It’s good to see.”
Slovenia are currently second in the group with eight points and former Leeds United and Norwich City playmaker Snodgrass is well aware of the threat they will pose.
Snodgrass, who scored a hat-trick in the 5-1 win over Malta, added: “They look a great side, we won’t be underestimating any team in this group – we found that against Lithuania.
“They turned up and were probably the better side on the night and it shocked us a bit.
“We need to be ready and take our chances when we get them on the night.”
