Fletcher has come up against the likes of Andres Iniesta while playing for Manchester United against Barcelona and knows there will be long spells when Spain keep the ball at Hampden tomorrow night.

The world champions are most admired for their unparalleled skill in possession but Fletcher believes it is Spain's attitude off the ball that stands them apart from the rest.

The midfielder said: "The thing that really impresses me is the way they win the ball as soon as they lose it. They are like a British-style team.

"When they lose the ball they press as a team quickly and try to win it back within the first three passes, so they have got the ball in the opposition half rather than sitting off them and letting the opposition build an attack."

Fletcher added: "You have got to understand they are going to have long spells of possession - they do that against the best teams in the world.

"You have got to keep your patience, it's important to match runners and watch out for one-twos.

"Sometimes they pass the ball that much you might get a little bit eager and try and win it early and they will just play it around you.

"You have got to be compact as a team and have lots of concentration and communication to pass players on and make sure you are hard to beat, but also try and break when the opportunity arises.

"If you can try to beat that initial pressing, there might be opportunities to get forward and create chances."

Scotland twice beat France in their previous European Championship qualifying campaign but Fletcher admits they will have to beat an even better team tomorrow.

However, he takes encouragement from those victories, which came thanks to Gary Caldwell's goal from a corner and James McFadden's stunning strike in Paris.

And, after days of criticism of manager Craig Levein's 4-6-0 formation during the 1-0 defeat by the Czech Republic, Fletcher was eager to remind people that Scotland created other opportunities against the French.

He said: "We can take confidence from the two France games - the work rate, the team spirit, the dogged performances.

"But there were were times where we broke quickly and created opportunities.

"I know the goal (at Hampden) came from a set-piece but we had a couple of counter-attacks and could have scored a couple more.

"At home against the bigger nations we have got a decent record. We always do well and raise our game.

"The crowd are always fantastic and give us the extra urgency. It's like an extra man and we are expecting the same again at a full Hampden."

Like Levein, Fletcher was keen to move on from the negativity surrounding the Prague experience and he pledged that the team would continue to follow their manager's orders.

"When you lose football games you get criticised - it doesn't matter the formation or how you play," he said.

"Even if you play well and lose you get criticised. Football is decided by margins.

"If you win it doesn't matter how you win. if you lose, criticism is something you expect. That's all behind us and we're looking forward to the Spain game.

"The players go into every game and follow the instructions of the manager. That's our job.

"Whatever the manager expects from us, the formation he tells us, the players go out there and give 100% and follow the instructions to the best of our ability."