DARREN FLETCHER reckons a Scotland player will have to be SHOT before referees give us a penalty - but admitted last night's crushing Euro 2008 defeat was a reality check.

The Manchester United midfielder was stunned when German referee Knut Kirkher turned down James McFadden's claim for a stonewall spot kick in the first half.

Scotland were a goal behind when when Georgian captain Zurab Khizanishvili blocked the striker as he drove into the penalty area.

But it wasn't the only decision to go against Scotland. Although keen not to use the official's performance as an excuse for the defeat, Fletcher didn't feel his team-mates had enough calls going their way throughout the 90 minutes.

And, like manager Alex McLeish, he pointed to the penalty-that-should-have-been as the moment Scotland were denied the opportunity to haul themselves back into the game.

Being brought up at Old Trafford, the midfielder knows how to pick his words wisely and it's unusual for him to have a pop at a referee.

But the fact he spoke out just highlights how inconsistent and off the pace Kirkher was in the Boris Paichadze Stadium.

"I don't know what it takes for us to be awarded a penalty," he said. "For Scotland to get a penalty you need to get shot.

"We never got anything from the referee during the entire game. But I think we are a bit naive at times.

"We try to stay on our feet when we are fouled, and then you are stumbling as your opponent comes in and takes the ball cleanly. Fletch felt we were naive in how Scots played the ref

"But they get their bodies in between you and the ball and go down and get fouls. And I think these things count against us away from home.

"We are too honest. Maybe we need to be more like the foreign boys and go down. We don't like to do that, but sometimes our honesty goes against us away from home."

To make matters worse, Fletcher had to try and vent his fury and not challenge the referee as he was aware a booking would have counted him out of the final qualifying match against Italy, which now becomes the all-important game of the Euro 2008 campaign.

Fetch has served two suspensions already after picking up four bookings, but after two suspensions it only takes one booking before you are instantly banned.

He said: "It's running through your head you are a booking away from missing the next game during different situations. Barry Ferguson and Malkhaz Asatiani were gripped in a midfield battle that the home team won by a distance Kris Boyd had most of the second half to make an impact but the Gers' striker saw very few opportunities James McFadden just can't bare it . . . though he can still spare a wave to the Tartan Army. Davie Weir's had enough

"As I've said, we didn't get anything from the ref but you've got to hold back. When you see Klaus Toppmoller playing keepie-up at the side of the park when the ball goes out, then it's embarrassing for an experienced coach to be doing something like that.

"But you can't say anything because you are one booking away from a yellow card."

While he was venting his frustration, Fletch knows the bottom line is Scotland didn't perform. He said: "There are no easy games away from home and we all knew that it was going to be a tough game.

"We went there in high spirits on the back of some very good results and performances, but unfortunately it's back down to earth again.

"Maybe that is what we needed - a little reality check. Maybe the whole country needed that as the expectations went up with results.

"It just didn't happen for us last night. But if we were told at the start of the group that it would come down to the last game against Italy at home, we'd have taken that.

"It's going to be one helluva match that now. I'm not going to say we are going to beat Italy, as they are a fantastic side, but we've got it in us."

The outing against Georgia was Fletcher's first since he hobbled off against France in the Parc des Princes last month. With several players dropping out of the squad, the midfielder agreed to make an unexpected return to the starting line-up and was pleased to get back in action.

He added: "I was always suspended for the Ukraine game, but I felt fine fitness wise. It took me a while to get into the game,but once I did my leg was fine. My fitness wasn't a problem."