SCOTLAND boss George Burley has explained how his decision to name Darren Fletcher as captain for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Norway was influenced by the fact the midfielder has enjoyed regular first-team exposure at Manchester United this season.
The Dalkeith-born star was yesterday informed that he would be the national team's latest skipper in the absence of Barry Ferguson and Stephen McManus.
The honour continues a good month for Fletcher, who will win his 40th Scotland cap in this week
end's Group Nine clash at Hampden Park.
After being a bit-part player in his early career at Old Trafford, the 24-year-old has been virtually an ever-present this term and last week signed a three-year contract extension.
Burley said: "Darren has been an outstanding player for Scotland for a number of years. At the same time, he has established himself as a regular player for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
"Since I took over, his attitude towards playing for his country has been outstanding. He is a player who is always desperate to represent Scotland.
"It is a measure of his talent that at his relatively young age he has achieved so much for his club and will win his 40th cap for his country on Saturday.
"I know he will be very proud to lead the players out at Hampden on Saturday. He will do a great job for Scotland."
Regular captain Ferguson has yet to play under Burley because of the ankle problem that forced him to have surgery before the start of the season. Stand-in skipper McManus is suspended after being sent off in last month's 2-1 victory in Iceland following a handball inside the penalty box.
Fletcher has led his country on three previous occasions, all of which resulted in Scotland victories.
He first skippered the side in a 1-0 friendly win at Estonia in May 2004, and did so twice last season.
Fletcher was captain for another 1-0 friendly triumph, against South Africa at Pittodrie, before wearing the armband in the 3-1 Euro 2008 qualifying triumph against Lithuania at Hampden Park.
Burley informed the players of his decision after they met up yesterday morning, minus three of the 25-man squad.
Kenny Miller, Kris Commons and Kevin Thomson all withdrew but there were no other injury doubts so Burley decided not to call up any replacements.
Miller and Commons have hamstring problems while Rangers midfielder Thomson suffered an ankle injury in Sunday's 1-0 defeat by St Mirren.
Miller pulled out after Rangers decided to give him an injection to aid a recurring hamstring problem.
The withdrawals of Thomson and Commons came as no surprise. Winger Commons has not played for Derby since September 13 and Thomson was helped off the pitch at Love Street following a challenge by St Mirren midfielder Garry Brady.
The full article contains 489 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
