Scotland captain Darren Fletcher feels managerial stability under Gordon Strachan can play a part in helping end the country's 20-year exile from a major tournament.

The national team start their quest to reach the 2018 World Cup in Russia when they take on Mlata at the Ta'Qali Stadium.

West Brom midfielder Fletcher has regained the armband following Scott Brown's international retirement and he outlined why a number of managerial changes may have hurt previous qualification bids.

"The thing that gives me the most belief is the continuity in the management side of things.

"Throughout my career it's been stop-start all the time. We've done really well under managers and that's been cut short because they've gone to clubs off the back of that.

"And then there has been the times where managers haven't done so well and we've had to start all over again halfway through a campaign.

"With the manager staying and going again for another campaign it's good.

"There were a lot of positives from the last campaign in terms of the way we approached games and attacked teams. That continuity and with the young exciting players we've got and regulars we've got a real good blend and balance that I believe can take us forward.

"We all know how the manager wants to play and what he likes his players to do in certain positions but we didn't qualify for the last tournament and he's always looking to expand new ideas.

"But we've got that solid base where we know what he expects."

The 32-year-old expressed his pride at being named skipper once more and outlined his determination to take Scotland supporters back to the big time.

"It's nice to be captain again," he said.

"It's something I took great pride in. Circumstances meant that I wasn't captain for a while but Scott did a fantastic job and then I was there beside him.

"But things change quickly in football and it's me who is hoping to lead the country in this campaign and looking to qualify."