Thursday 24 March 2016 07:52, UK
Darren Fletcher believes continuity can play an important role in helping Scotland end their long wait for another appearance at a major tournament.
The 32-year-old West Brom captain won the first of his 70 caps in August 2003 under Berti Vogts as a second-half substitute in a goalless draw against Norway.
Since then he has played under Walter Smith, Alex McLeish, George Burley, Craig Levein and caretaker Billy Stark, none of whom managed to take the Scots beyond a qualifying phase.
Indeed, it will be 20 years since they last played in a finals event when the World Cup takes place in Russia in the summer of 2018.
Despite failing to qualify for Euro 2016, Gordon Strachan has signed a two-year extension and begins preparing for the upcoming qualifiers in that competition with a challenging match against Czech Republic.
Denmark then visit Hampden Park next Tuesday and Fletcher believes the manager's decision to stick around could make the difference this time.
He said: "Continuity is not something I've had in my Scotland career. There have been a lot of changes in managers.
"There have been times we have started groups really well and been on the verge of qualifying only for managers to be taken away to club jobs.
"We've seen the opposite when managers haven't done so well and lost their jobs. To have that consistency over a couple of campaigns is not something I've had in my Scotland career.
"Everyone knows if you stick with the manager and give him time when he is doing the right things, then ultimately you're going to get success from that."
Only one team will progress direct to Russia from Scotland's qualifying group after two advances in the European preliminaries.
Fletcher added: "It's about realising you can't have an off night, especially in a World Cup group where only one team goes through and one goes into the play-offs.
"When you find yourselves in good positions against your rivals then you need to see the games out. It's about brushing up on those small margins that will really help us.
"I really want to get to a major tournament with my country. It's one of those things you dream about. I'm desperate to tick it off my list."
