This is my chance to stake claim for place in Scotland side, says Hibs striker Steven Fletcher

Nov 16 2008 By Gordon Waddell

STEVEN FLETCHER dreamed of making back page news the last time he pulled on a Scotland top - instead he went down as a footnote in the international incident that blew up around him.

Now the Hibs kid wants his own headlines against Argentina instead of having them hijacked by Kris Boyd and Chris Iwelumo.

Forests of newsprint were devoted to Boyd's decision to quit Scotland in the wake of September's World Cup draw with Norway at Hampden.

That came after George Burley decided to leave Boyd on the bench - and plenty of pages were devoted to the price the national manager paid as sub Iwelumo's horror miss cost Scotland a victory.

But the fact Burley also brought on fledgling Fletch ahead of the Ibrox striker was overlooked in the mayhem - almost as much as the 21-year-old's impressive show.

Also overlooked was the fact he's now a step up the pecking order for a place against Diego Maradona's Argentina on Wednesday.

Fletcher, who heads for Hampden after grabbing Hibs' last-minute leveller against Aberdeen yesterday, said: "I was happy withwhat I contributed in the Norway game - but bigger things happened and that's where all the focus went.

"There was big Chris's miss then the situation with Boydy afterwards and that claimed all the headlines.

"The result was disappointing but I was pleased with my performance and hopefully the manager will call on me again against Argentina.

"We are all disappointed at Boydy's decision because we've lost a great player.

"But it gives the strikers who want to be picked a chance. I've moved up the pecking order and hopefully I can take my chance when it comes."

All eyes will be on Maradona in the dugout come Wednesday but Fletcher's Liverpool-loving family are more interested in him squaring up to an idol from the present than one from the past.

He said: "I've seen all the clips of Maradona including that famous game against England.

"He's a legend but my heroes were Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen. My dad's a Liverpool fan and they were always my team.

"So there's a chance I'll get to play against Javier Mascherano and that would be brilliant. You want to test your ability against the best."

Fletcher wants that to apply for club as well as country - and knows it will involve taking the step up from Hibs.

Despite being watched at length by Real Madrid the twicecapped striker still has his feet on the ground and knows the road he has to travel to reach the top.

But it's still in his sights.

He said: "Even when I first met up with the Scotland squad I just stood there and took it all in.

"Watching guys like Darren Fletcher and James McFadden was something different and the pace of training was a step up.

"I wouldn't say I feel at home there now but I've been involved in a few sessions and make sure I get involved. And I would love to play at Champions League level.

"I watched the Celtic v Man United game with friends last week and they were saying 'That's the sort of stage you want to be playing on'.

"They're right but I don't have any thoughts on where I might end up yet.

"My family would probably say Liverpool but I don't want to say anything like that.

"Real Madrid? That whole thing has dragged on for a while.

Even though there's not as much being written now I still get kids in the street asking when I'm signing for them!

"It's a bit of a laugh but flattering. Just to be mentioned in the same breath as that club was great but I'm glad I can now get on with playing my game.

"It's nice people think I have the ability to step up and now I have to prove I'm capable."