BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
Steven Fletcher was subjected to a bizarre welcome following his shock switch to Marseille after the French giants carried out a stereotype-laden first interview with the Scotland striker.
Evidently tickled by the novelty of signing their first Scotsman since Thomas Pritchard in 1933, the Ligue 1 outfit dubbed bagpipe music over footage of Fletcher arriving at the club to complete his loan deal from Sunderland.
When the interview for Marseille’s official website, OM.net, finally did get under way, it quickly took a peculiar turn.
Referencing the Scottish national anthem – being played on the bagpipes in the background – he was asked whether he had “any flowers of Scotland” with him. The former Hibs front-man somewhat sheepishly replied: “I’ve not had a chance, I’ll bring some next time”.
With the stereotypes flowing, Fletcher was then asked whether he was “a big fighter”. Fletcher added: “Yes, I’m here to fight and get the club up the table.”
Away from the novelty questions, the 28-year-old underlined his determination to be a success in France following one of the most eye-catching moves of the January window.
He said: “I know Marseille are a massive club and their fans are great. I’ve seen the atmosphere in the stadium [Stade Velodrome], so I’m looking forward to experiencing that.
“I know we are mid-table at the moment so I would like to come in and push us up the table.
“We have French players at Sunderland – Younes Kaboul and Yann M’vila – and they told me a lot about Marseille and I watched a few games, so I’m looking forward to playing here.”
WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE
