Tuesday, March 19, 2024
SportInternational FootballScotland striker Steven Fletcher insists Marseille atmosphere is best he's experienced

Scotland striker Steven Fletcher insists Marseille atmosphere is best he’s experienced

@CCP_sport

Steven Fletcher admits he was taken aback by the passion of the Marseille fans after becoming the first Scotsman to play in the French top-flight for 18 years.

The 25-times capped international striker climbed off the bench in the 80th minute in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to runaway leaders PSG, with over 61,000 packed into the Stade Velodrome.

(Pic: OM.net)
Fletcher fell out of favour under Sam Allardyce at Sunderland (Pic: OM.net)

Fletcher, who has joined on loan from Sunderland until the end of the season, has followed in the footsteps of current Celtic assistant manager John Collins, who won the Ligue 1 with Monaco before departing the club in 1998.

Despite the loss, Fletcher admits his maiden appearance for the club is one he will never forget.

He said: “The atmosphere was fantastic, on the coach on the way in it was nothing I’d ever experienced before but it was great – great to see the fans and I was happy to get a few minutes on the pitch.

“I got on but we were a bit disappointed with the result.

“I thought we played well, especially in the second half but we need to look forward now to the next game.

“I’ve not played a lot of games this season but I’ve been training every day and working hard, and when I came here I think everyone thought I wouldn’t be fit and wouldn’t be in the squad.”

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