‘Hopefully we can inspire everybody to follow us’ – Martinez Losa

Pedro Martinez Losa says the decision to play Scotland’s final Group B2 game with Serbia at Firhill will help the team “connect with the fans”.

Scotland have played all their recent home qualifiers at the 52,000 capacity Hampden Park, though the crowd was just 3,127 against Slovakia in April while June’s win over Israel was played behind closed doors.

The Spaniard hopes Firhill’s smaller capacity can help harness a better atmosphere as his side bid to stay top of the group.

“That was one of the reasons for moving away from Hampden, was to connect with the community, to give all the Scotland fans an opportunity to connect with the team,” he said.

“So I think we’re going to have that part on our side tomorrow and give us the last push, especially in July when the energy levels are not that big.

“I think the behaviour of the players the other day in terms of mental resilience and commitment was very big, and it will be the same tomorrow.

“You want to feel the energy of the fans and when it’s a smaller stadium it’s more full, then you can feel that. We don’t say enough how important that support is for us.

“We have all seen moments in the men’s Euros where everything is decided in key moments when the players are at the limit. And in that one minute, one substitution can make an impact, that one player can make an impact, but also the fans can make an impact.

“Hopefully we can inspire everybody to follow us, not just in a major tournament but in the future games.”