McManus can't believe rise

STEPHEN McMANUS admits he cannot quite believe how far he has come over the last few years as he prepares to lead Scotland into tonight's friendly against Croatia.

McManus, 25, was thrilled when he replaced Neil Lennon as Celtic skipper last summer and says he will be just as honoured to perform the captain's duties at Hampden Park in the absence of the injured Barry Ferguson.

The defender battled his way through the youth ranks at Celtic and is finally earning his rewards for years of hard work.

"I'm pinching myself," he said. "I've now played a lot of football in the last three years but I'm not one for talking things up, I'd never do that.

"Let's just say I've worked hard and it has gone all right so far.

"I've been fortunate that my career has gone in the right direction, but you can never get too ahead of yourself.

"I still look at myself as being the same guy I was five years ago when I wasn't getting a game.

"I go into work every day trying to make myself a better player, and every season I try to improve."