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Stephen McManus admits he cannot quite believe how far he has come over the last few years as he prepares to lead Scotland into Wednesday’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.”

Speaking of those early years at Parkhead, McManus added: “I was in a really good reserve side at Celtic and the club at that time were a top, top side.

“We had guys like Henrik Larsson in the team, guys who were at the peak of their careers.

“At the time I just wanted to play. It wasn’t about money or fame – it was about becoming the best player that you can be.

“I felt that maybe my future lay elsewhere, just so that I could play in someone’s first team.

“But, thankfully, I stayed at Celtic and it has turned out not too bad.

“At the time I decided to talk to a few people who were a lot more knowledgeable than me, to people who had been there and done it.

“And the advice I got was to stick at it with Celtic because you never know what’s round the corner.”

George Burley insists Darren Fletcher will be an integral part of his Scotland team even though the midfielder cannot find a regular spot at Manchester United.Burley’s first squad has been hit by the withdrawal of seven players ahead of his first match as national team boss against Croatia at Hampden Park on Wednesday.

However, Fletcher, 24, shrugged off the virus which kept him out of Sir Alex Ferguson’s plans for the 3-0 Barclays Premier League win over Liverpool on Sunday to travel up to Glasgow for the friendly.

“A big bonus for us was Darren Fletcher trained with us with no problems,” Burley said.

“He had a virus and had to go home before United’s game at the weekend but he has had a good night’s kip and trained so will certainly come into my plans.

“There’s no doubt if he were in any other Premier League team he would be a a regular choice.

“Alex thinks the world of him but because of the competition at Manchester United he doesn’t play every week.

“There are lots who would like to take him in the English Premier League and for me he’s a top-class international.

“But he’ll get his fair share of games (at United) and I think he’s a terrific player.

“He’s got great energy, he’s enthusiastic and tenacious. He gets forward and will score you a goal.

“He has a good range of passing and I think that’s why Alex wants to keep him badly.

“Darren has shown a clear example.

“When he first arrived he said to one of the coaching staff, ‘Has the gaffer picked the team yet?’

John Toshack will send out a makeshift Wales team against Luxembourg imploring his fringe players to make an impact at international level.

Manager Toshack is without 14 of his best players for the friendly, with skipper Simon Davies due to win his 50th cap.

Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill and Stockport defender Ashley Williams are expected to make their debuts, and Toshack said: “The most important thing is that we don’t treat this game lightly. We mustn’t end up blaming the fact that we are without so many players.

“It is not important who you are playing against, it is important who you are playing for.

“You are playing for your country, be it against Luxembourg or Germany. We are playing for Wales and everyone must realise we are here for a reason.

“Our attitude will be what is expected. We need to put in a good shift for this one.

“It will be a tough game – Luxembourg have beaten Belarus recently so we know what they are capable of.”

Toshack praised Davies’ contribution to his country.

He said: “Simon has been very good for us. He has led by example and I am pleased with him, and he can be delighted with 50 caps.

“He has had a rough time at Fulham this season as they fight to avoid relegation, but he is committed to Wales and should be very proud of his achievement.

“Simon is a model pro and a great example. He’s our most experienced player now, a super example for others.

“He was a bit down a year or so ago, he had a shin problem he couldn’t get rid of and he wasn’t playing as often as he would have liked at Everton.

“He got his move back to London and he is more settled now. He is a very, very good player and he is well rated in the game.”

William Gallas maintains France are treating the match against England as more than just a friendly.

The clash at the Stade de France will be Les Bleus’ last before coach Raymond Domenech names his 23-man squad for this summer’s European Championships.

They will be looking to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat to Spain last month, but there will be added spice due to the fact so many of the French squad play – or have played – in the Barclays Premier League.

Arsenal skipper Gallas is one of those and he said: “We know it is always a bit more tense between the English and the French.

“We appreciate each other, but we always want to show that we are better than them.

“The stakes will be high, the stadium will be full. And in our heads, we can’t just consider this as simply a friendly.

“For players who have played in England or who are still there, it is always an added motivation.”

Other current Premier League players set to take some part in the match include Claude Makelele, Florent Malouda, Patrice Evra, Nicolas Anelka and Mathieu Flamini.

Anelka, who plays for Chelsea, could be partnered up front by David Trezeguet.

The last time the pair played together was last September, in France’s famous 1-0 defeat to Scotland at the Parc des Princes.

Trezeguet has not featured for his country since, but gets another chance seven months on thanks to injuries to Thierry Henry and Karim Benzema.

The Juventus striker has dismissed the theory his chances of making France’s Euro 2008 squad are entirely dependent on his display against England.

England boss Fabio Capello has confirmed David Beckham will win his 100th cap in Wednesday’s friendly with France in Paris.

Beckham has been stuck on 99 appearances for his country since the end of last year and speculation about his participation has dogged the build-up to this week’s game.

But Italian boss Capello revealed he will certainly feature in some capacity at the Stade de France.

Asked whether Beckham will start the game, Capello told a press conference televised by Sky Sports News: “I’ve yet to decide, though I have made my decision.

“He will play (some part), I could not possibly make him come from the USA and not play him.

“I know David Beckham and what he can give me and I think he can make the difference in some respects. I know what he can give to a team.

“As for the future, we will have to see. Nobody knows what the future holds.”

Capello added: “I think every player would like to reach this target (100 caps) but very few manage it so you have to give David Beckham credit, he has done really well to achieve this.”

Returning to the subject of Beckham’s 100th cap, Capello left the door open for the midfielder to continue his international career all the way through to the next World Cup in 2010.