Selection of go-to man Fletcher not a gamble, insists manager

Fletcher returns to lead the international side for the first time this year. Despite having played no competitive football this season for either Manchester United or Scotland, the 27-year-old will be at the heart of the midfield in the crucial Euro 2012 qualifier. Levein has performed a significant U-turn on his contention last month that he could not play the player if he had not already returned to club action.

Although Sir Alex Ferguson encouraged the Scotland manager to select Fletcher, the midfielder has not played for the Old Trafford side this season. He made only one appearance for United in the final three months of last season having succumbed to a mystery stomach virus. Nevertheless, Levein is confident that Fletcher will hit the ground running this afternoon.

“It’s no gamble,” said Levein. “There are two things you look at with player selection. One is form, the other is fitness. Well, I don’t worry about form with regard to Fletch – he plays at a top level.

“He has played in this type of game on so many occasions. At Manchester United he was the ‘go-to’ player for these games. He was always the one first on the team sheet. He has done a lot of training and it’s not as if he just recovered two weeks ago.

“He more than any other player in the squad understands what’s needed to play in a game of this significance.”

Levein believes the mere sight of Fletcher leading the team out from the dressing room on such a high-octane occasion will inspire his team-mates, for whom only three points will do this afternoon. He described him as the “role model” for the team. “He is our captain and even though he has not been with us the last few games, his behaviour and his values are the benchmark for the rest of the team,” said Levein. “I am trying to create this club team mentality. Every team has to have a philosophy of what the club is all about. We are trying to form a way of doing things where we value certain behaviour.”

He added: “For me Darren is the epitome of what we are looking for in a Scotland international player. It’s great for me and for the rest of the squad [that he’s back].”

The manager believes Fletcher is looking better than ever after an extensive recovery programme at United. “He is the best he has been for a long, long time,” he said. “He is in great shape.”

Levein revealed that he had recently watched Scotland’s victory over the Faroe Islands at Pittodrie in November, which was Fletcher’s last appearance for his country. “I looked at him and his performance and his interview after the match,” he said.

“He looked weak. It’s not till you go back and have a look at it that you sort of see it. I look at him now and I see a huge difference. It’s the best he has felt for a long, long time.”