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Scotland can take inspiration from Wales, says Matt Ritchie

Matt Ritchie says Scotland can take inspiration from Wales' run at the Euros
Image: Matt Ritchie says Scotland can take inspiration from Wales' run at the Euros

Matt Ritchie says Scotland can take inspiration from Wales when they start their World Cup qualifying campaign this weekend.

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Gordon Strachan's side were the only Home Nation not to qualify for Euro 2016 but Wales went on to reach the semi-finals before losing to eventual winners Portugal after a successful tournament in France.

The Scots start their qualifying campaign against Malta on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD, and while Ritchie is expecting a tougher game than some may anticipate, he wants Scotland to take inspiration from the exploits of Chris Coleman's side earlier this summer as they aim to reach Russia.

"It's said we should win this, we should win that, but nothing is won on paper. The lads have to go out and perform and that's why in the Euros you saw so many surprise results.

LILLE, FRANCE - JULY 01:  Gareth Bale (C) and Wales players celebrate their team's 3-1 win after the UEFA EURO 2016 quarter final match between Wales and B
Image: Wales enjoyed a hugely successful Euro 2016 campaign

"The group stages are the same. The so-called teams you should beat are sometimes the toughest games and as long as you're concentrating and prepared for what is in front of you I think we will be ok.

"No one expected Wales to do so well in the Euros and they have done fantastic so hopefully we can have the same sort of impact on our group.

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We catch up with Chris Martin and the Scotland squad as they start their World Cup qualifying campaign against Malta

"There is always pressure, from the outside, from the inside, from each other. Not just in the campaign, in training day in, day out, so we are used to that but we need to make sure we rise to it."

Also See:

You can watch Malta v Scotland Live on Sky Sports 1 on Sunday from 7pm.

Watch Sky Sports' derby day extravaganza on Sep 10 - Man Utd v Man City and Celtic v Rangers - as part of our three months half price offer.

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