England fans apathetic about team, says Scotland's Snodgrass

[November 09, 2016]  LONDON, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Scotland winger Robert Snodgrass says England fans have become apathetic about their country's fortunes as Friday's World Cup qualifier between the arch-rivals looms at Wembley Stadium.

Hull City's Snodgrass, who is in contention to play in the Group F clash after an ankle injury, said England fans were disillusioned after repeated failures at major tournaments.

"I speak to English people and I don't think they want England to do well because it's the same old story all the time," Snodgrass said in British media on Wednesday.

"That's sad, actually, when you think about it."

Snodgrass added that all Scots hope England lose, whoever they are playing.

"I think the full country does, to be honest," he said. "That's just the way we were brought up."

Friday's match is the first competitive meeting between England and Scotland since 1999.

On that occasion Scotland sprung a surprise by winning 1-0, although it was not enough to win a two-legged Euro 2000 playoff as they had already been beaten 2-0 at home.

While a defeat by Slovakia and draw with Lithuania have damaged Scotland's chances of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Snodgrass said the pressure was on England.

"They've always probably been that step ahead, especially in the last 10 or 20 years when we've been trying just to get to major tournaments and they are saying they should be winning them," Snodgrass said.

England, who lost to Iceland in the last 16 of this year's European Championship, are top of the group with seven points, while Scotland are fourth on four after three matches. (Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken Ferris)

[© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2016 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.