THE Scottish Football Association is preparing to invite England to Hampden for a return friendly in 2015.
Both countries regarded Wednesday night's first encounter in 14 years as a worthwhile, successful exercise. More than 80,000 were at Wembley for England's 3-2 win and the game passed off without any significant incidents between the rivals sets of supporters, despite a 25,000-strong Tartan Army descending on London.
There is a loose arrangement between the SFA and the Football Association for the countries to meet again at Hampden for the first time since the first leg of the Euro 2000 play-offs. The only obstacle to completing an agreement and making an announcement is the possibility that the countries could be drawn in the same group of the Euro 2016 qualifiers. That draw takes place in Nice in February, and, if Scotland and England are kept apart, they are certain to then announce a friendly.
A game could not be held before the qualifiers begin because Hampden will soon be out of use for international football for more than a year as a result of next summer's Commonwealth Games.
"We have an excellent relationship with the Football Association and we have already discussed the possibility of future internationals," said an SFA source. "Given the occasion and the history of the fixture we would hope to invite England to Hampden Park in the not too distant future. We will review our fixture strategy after the Euro 2016 draw in February and will look to continue our discussions with the FA thereafter."
Meanwhile, it has emerged that Steven Fletcher, the £12m Sunderland striker, is on the verge of a comeback. He has been out of action since he damaged ankle ligaments in the World Cup qualifying defeat by Wales in March but could be available for next month's double-header against Belgium and Macedonia. As well as missing Sunderland's run-in last season and their pre-season schedule, the former Hibernian and Wolverhampton Wanderers forward was also sidelined for the Group A outings against Serbia and Croatia.
Fletcher scored 11 goals for Sunderland last season and their manager Paulo Di Canio is delighted the 26-year-old is close to a return. "In a few weeks, maybe we can see Fletcher in action. We will keep our fingers crossed. He and the staff have done a very good job; we have handled the situation very well. His improvement has surprised everybody; we are happy but, more importantly, he is happy and excited.
"We don't have to take a risk. It would be silly to anticipate a time. We won't force it just because we see improvement, because another injury now could put him out for longer; it would be stupid."
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