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Russell Martin believes Scotland are ready to take the next step

Russell Martin in action for Scotland.
Russell Martin in action for Scotland.

Defender Russell Martin believes Scotland proved their previous win over Croatia was no fluke by claiming another victory in Tuesday’s final World Cup qualifier.

Gordon Strachan’s men picked up their first three points of the campaign with a win in Zagreb in June.

The Croats were without star man Luka Modric on that occasion, although Scotland were also without some first-choice players as they triumphed 1-0.

This time around, Croatia boasted a strong line-up that included Modric and Mario Mandzukic, as Scotland claimed a 2-0 win.

Martin said: “We all know how good Croatia are and they had their best side out as well. In the summer, when we beat them, it was mentioned that they were missing some of their top players.

“But they had everyone out there in this game and I think our performance from start to finish from everyone was outstanding. To finish the campaign on such a high is great. The only disappointment is that it’s too little, too late.

“But, in terms of the way we finished the campaign, everyone can go into the next one extremely positive and looking forward to it.”

For Scotland, the only option now is to look ahead to qualifying for the 2016 European Championships, as they aim to end an absence from major finals stretching back to 1998.

Martin added: “We will see what the draw is. We’ve got a couple of good friendlies coming up.

“It’s another chance to get together and all the time the squad is getting stronger together. The belief is there in the way we want to play.

“The manager has instilled it in us, in every squad, so we know more and more what he wants. It’s all positive going forward but, at the same time, any campaign is tough regardless of your group.

“We know that and we have a realistic set of lads with realistic ambitions, but we want to play in a major tournament eventually. It will be up to us to do it.”

Goals from Robert Snodgrass and Steven Naismith secured the win against Croatia, with Martin particularly pleased to restrict the visitors’ own chances in front of goal.

He said: “I was disappointed not to get a clean sheet against Macedonia in the last game to be honest. They scored quite late on and I thought we deserved one.

“So to get two clean sheets against Croatia and two wins is excellent.”

The Norwich defender says he is enjoying his partnership with Grant Hanley in the heart of the Scotland defence.

He added: “Hopefully we are improving all the time. I feel as though we have done better and better as each game has gone on.

“An understanding develops and plenty of communication and I’m enjoying it. I’m just enjoying playing to be honest, and the fact that we have actually done well and picked up a couple of clean sheets.

“He is young, but he has done brilliantly and hopefully it’s a relationship we can keep building on and take into the next campaign.”