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Fletcher retains Scotland captaincy
GLASGOW (AFP) - Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher will retain the captain's armband for Scotland against Lithuania after getting the nod ahead of experienced defender David Weir.
Fletcher skippered the side in the friendly against South Africa last month, when regular skipper Barry Ferguson was rested, and will continue in the role for the Euro 2008 qualifier, which Ferguson misses through suspension.
Head coach Alex McLeish confirmed that Ferguson would resume the captaincy when Scotland take on France in Paris on Wednesday.
Scotland need to beat the Lithuanians to put pressure on group B leaders France and Italy, but McLeish does not believe a draw would be the end of his squad's chances of reaching the finals.
"We never say it's must-win or do or die. We've prepared really well for this game and the three points is something we're very, very capable of getting, and we'll be going all out to get the three points."
McLeish could field both Lee McCulloch and Gary Caldwell on Saturday, even though one more booking for either of them would result in bans for the France match.
"You've got to trust players' judgement and maturity in situations like this," said the former Rangers manager. "We know what could happen. It won't stop me playing either of the two of them."
McLeish believes the best outcome on Saturday would be for a Scotland win to be followed by France beating Italy in Milan, although he is sceptical about the likelihood of a set of results that would lift Scotland into the second qualifying spot in the group.
"If we do get the three points then a France victory would be good for us," he said. "But how many teams have gone to Italy in history and won?"
McLeish gave few hints about his line-up but confirmed that Derby defender Jay McEveley would win his second cap at left-back, in place of the injured Gary Naysmith.
"He had a good game against the South Africans on his debut, so I have no fears about throwing him in," McLeish said.
