DARREN WAS DESTINED TO BE SKIPPER OF SCOTLAND; ROAD TO SOUTH AFRICA 2010... McClair: Even as raw Man Utd kid you could see Fletch was special.

Byline: BY HUGH KEEVINS

BRIAN McCLAIR isn't surprised Darren Fletcher will captain Scotland in their crucial World Cup qualifier against Norway.

The former Celtic and Scotland striker has worked with the Manchester United midfielder since he was a boy at Old Trafford and watched him grow into a natural leader of men.

And McClair expects Fletcher to have the automatic respect of the older team-mates he will lead out on to the field at Hampden because possessing a maturity far beyond his years is the 24-year-old's strongest characteristic.

McClair has had responsibility for helping produce Manchester United's assembly line of talent since he gave up scoring goals for the club, and he was immediately taken by the Scottish compatriot who came to the club straight from school in Edinburgh.

If he was asked to give Fletcher a character reference for the job of Scotland captain it would be wrapped up in one, simple phrase based on years of experience working with him.

McClair said: "This is an ordinary guy doing an extraordinary job.

"Darren made his first-team debut for United when he was only 19, but I can tell you he would have been in the side much earlier if it hadn't been for injuries that held up his progress. That's how much he was thought of at Old Trafford.

"There's no doubt he has a maturity far beyond his years and I was able to notice that straight away because I'd done what he was being asked to by leaving my family behind and going to England when I began my professional career.

"I went to Aston Villa and stayed there for 12 months before coming home again.

"Darren's now reached the age of 24 and has just signed an extension to his contract that'll keep him at the club until he's 27.

"That's testimony to how well he's adapted to life in a different country, and with the biggest club in Britain.

"On the field his strongest attributes are that Darren is always looking to make an impact on the game, whether that's in defence or attack. He just wants to be busy all over the pitch.

"Off the pitch he's a natural leader of men and I think that comes from having had the security of a strong family background which allowed him the strength of will to make his own decisions about football or anything else.

"I know the trials and tribulations of being away from home at an early age and we're always mindful, as a club, of the need to let boys return home when they want, whether it's to see their granny or whatever. But Darren never abused the privilege.

"All the coaching staff can go on is their personal experience of players from the past when they're assessing the hopefuls of tomorrow.

"I could see something special in Darren."

Fletcher's commitment to Scotland has never been in question while he has been forging a solid career at Old Trafford, and it was a costly brand of patriotism when he had to miss out on being part of the United squad who won the Champions League Final by beating Chelsea in Moscow last season.

A knee ligament injury picked up in George Burley's first match in charge of Scotland - a friendly against Croatia - infuriated Fletcher's club manager Sir Alex Ferguson but the player's willingness to turn out for his country has remained undiminished.

McClair said: "I think everyone appreciates the honour of representing their country.

"Darren has the intelligence to understand the extra demands that come with the captaincy at a time like this in Scotland's qualifying group.

"Manchester United like to see our players with their national sides and they must fully understand the demands that the club places upon them when they're away with someone else.

"Darren plays for us like a captain and that's the strength of mind he'll bring to Saturday's game."

The 24-year-old will captain a side containing a lot of players who will be older and more experienced than him but McClair has no fears that Fletcher will be overpowered by that fact.

He said "Respect is built up in international football by what you do for the team over a period of time.

The other players can see that Darren has a terrific confidence in his own ability and is a smashing passer of the ball.

"They'll also see the desire in his eyes every time he plays for his country and his teammates will give their captain due credit for everything that makes up a powerful attitude to the game.

"Darren would never be out of any team it was my responsibility to pick. But I don't think anyone will look at him this weekend and say that his responsibility for what happens next in the qualifying group is any greater than anybody else in the team. This has got to be an occasion where team effort is everything and there's a need for 11 players to put in a full shift, not just Darren.

"He's seen as a leader. He conducts himself like a leader and it's clear to everyone he relishes playing for his country.

"That's all anyone's entitled to ask of him."

CAPTION(S):

DARREN FINE CHOICE: Fletcher's a perfect skipper