Fletcher: Lessons to be learned

Darren Fletcher admits Scotland learned harsh lessons in their 1-0 friendly defeat to Italy on Sunday night.

The Scots mustered just one shot on goal throughout the match when Matt Ritchie’s effort fizzed wide in the 78th minute during the loss in Malta, where they begin their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign in September.

Graziano Pelle’s 20-yard wonder strike settled the fairly one-sided contest but, despite the nature of the defeat, Fletcher felt it was useful to play against Italy’s 3-5-2 formation.

“There were a lot of lessons to be learned,” Fletcher said. “The pitch was very difficult and we didn’t keep the ball well at times, and we are disappointed about that. But the attitude was good and the application was good and everyone stuck at it right to the end.

“We talked about how good a side they are and how we deal with that and playing in these conditions out here. When you lose football games you learn from them, and playing top-class sides there is plenty to learn from.

“The thing about our lads, the spirit and …

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