DARREN Fletcher's focus since joining up with the Scotland squad for their double header with France and Italy has been firmly on impressing enough to win back his place in the starting-line-up for the Russia 2018 qualifiers.

But the West Brom midfielder has also taken some time out to watch Andy Murray’s progress through to the quarter-finals of the French Open in Paris - and has been inspired as a result.

He is hopeful that, despite the demoralising 1-0 defeat to Italy here in Malta on Sunday, the national team can produce another shock result against France this weekend.

Fletcher was unable to prevent Scotland from being comprehensively outplayed by Italy in a friendly international at the Ta' Qali Stadium here on Sunday evening.

The Azzurri only won by a single goal – Graziano Pelle of Southampton netted in the second half - but they dominated their Euro 2016 warm-up match and should have scored more.

Gordon Strachan’s side managed just a solitary shot at goal against Antonio Conte’s team during the course of the 90 minutes – a Matt Ritchie effort late on which hit the side netting.

Yet, Fletcher, who captained his country in the absence of Scott Brown, is still optimistic Scotland can get a result in their final outing of the season at the Stade Saint-Symphorien in Metz on Saturday evening.

A close friend of Jamie Murray, he has been impressed with how his brother Andy has performed at the Roland Garros in the past week. The world No.2 battled through two five set matches to book a place in the last eight.

The 32-year-old was involved in both of the wins which Scotland recorded over France in their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign and is hopeful they can stun their hosts once again on Saturday evening after watching his countryman in action.

“I get on really well with Jamie Murray,” he said. “I met Jamie in America on a trip with Manchester United and he did a tennis exhibition. He’s a big United fan and we hit it off.

“That was a couple of summers ago. When the Davis Cup was in Birmingham I went down to see Jamie and he sprung a surprise on me by getting me to chat and play a bit with Andy.

“Really I’m good friends with Jamie and even if you look at him you see how dedicated and professional he is and how he goes about his business.

“They are two world class Scots performing at the very peak of their sport. You learn how they approach their individual sport and because I have a good relationship with them. I wish Andy all the best this week.”

Fletcher added: “When you see Scots operating at the highest level it can inspire you. I always remember watching Barry Ferguson play at a high level in the Champions league with Rangers and being man of the match and dominating games. My mindset then became if he can do it why can’t I?

“I think you’ve always got to try and do that. The manager here has spoken to the lads about the Italians. He told the young ones to look and see how strong they were, how fit they were and how good they were on the ball.

“They work hard in the gym away from football and the manager is telling the young players not to put a ceiling on performance levels.

“The Murrays are the perfect example of that and when you speak to them you realise how much work they put into things. They are a credit to Scotland and to their sport. I wish Andy all the best this week in Paris and hope that we can end the season with a good result in Metz.”

The former Manchester United player admitted that the Scotland performance against Italy had fallen short of the standards Strachan expects of them. He is determined for the national team to give a better account of themselves against France.

It will be the final match before they host Euro 2016 and will be played in front of a sell-out crowd in a 26,700-capacity stadium. Didier Deschamps’ team will be keen to round off their preparations with a morale-boosting and emphatic win.

Fletcher, though, felt that Scotland battled well against Italy and felt they were unfortunate to concede the goal. But he knows they will have to perform at a far higher level to avoid another defeat in what is their final match before the Russia 2018 qualifying campaign.

“It was a tough game against a high class side,” he said. “They are used to that ‘Juventus’ formation with the three centre-halves and they work the ball well.

“We did a lot of chasing and harrying and it was a long night. We were disappointed to lose the goal because we were sticking in there. Once they got the goal it was difficult to get one back. We had a chance with Matty, but we didn’t do enough when we had the ball to threaten them.

“But it is good that we have another game so soon after it. We have a chance to make amends and are all intent on taking it and finishing what has been a disappointing season on a high.”