Wales v Scotland: Craig Levein's future lies in hands of Darren Fletcher and Steven Fletcher

By Roddy Forsyth

From the hotly disputed penalty kicks that propelled the Scots towards the World Cup finals of 1978 and 1986 to the debacle in Cardiff two years ago that put an end to George Burley’s ill-starred regime, these occasions have been fraught.

Now it is Chris Coleman who is under severe pressure, following the 6-1 thrashing in Serbia, but if the Welsh manager can turn his fortunes around on Friday evening, the heat will singe Craig Levein’s eyebrows. Not that you would know from listening to the Scotland manager in the squad’s Celtic Manor base on Thursday night.

Asked if this game constituted a contest vital to his and the country’s future after two draws at home to Serbia and Macedonia, Levein replied: “No, not in my eyes it doesn’t. It’s another one which has three points attached to it. We will be treating this game as we have treated every one else.

“Me getting excited or getting worried about anything else is counter-productive. There is no point in that. There is no point in me going into the players and saying, ‘we need to win this game.’ What kind of psychology is that?”

Some would call it the power of motivation but, be that as it may, Levein was prepared to accentuate the positive when he contemplated the reinforcements to his squad. Back have come the two Fletchers – Steven and Darren – along with Scott Brown. The addition of Kris Commons, albeit as a late call-up, adds to the feeling that the manager has the resources to impose himself on Wales.

“I’m not any more up or down than I have been in the recent games,” he insisted. “I’m greatly encouraged by getting two experienced players back in an area of the field we were really toiling in, defensive midfield. Getting Fletch and Broony back, and also to an extent James McArthur as well, we suddenly go from being in a desperate situation in that boiler house of the field to looking pretty rosy.

“They are not just high quality players but they also understand the position and the nature of big games. Having Steven Fletcher back is also great. They have all added quality but they have also added an edge.”

Steven Fletcher’s recall – after a two-year stand-off with Levein – overshadowed that of his namesake, whose 58 caps testify to a devotion to the cause, the loss of which this squad found it almost impossible to replace. Struck down by ulcerative colitis, the Manchester United midfielder was in serious danger of having his career cut short at the age of 28.

On Thursday night, though, he proclaimed himself able to cope with both Wales and Belgium, whom the Scots face in Brussels on Tuesday night. “Yes, of course I’m capable of playing in both games. It won’t be a problem for me as long as I don’t pick up an injury but I’ve played a couple of Champions League games and even before that I played six reserve games – three in one week. So I’m feeling fine.”

“When I played in my first reserve game the excitement levels were unbelievable. Then obviously, it went up a few notches when I made my return to the Man United first team, but to be back in a Scotland shirt?

“That’s another thing again. Just to be sitting here in the team hotel the night before the game – it almost feels like I’m starting out all over again.

“Yes, I’ve got a lot more experience but, in terms of my excitement levels, it feels like I’m about to win my first cap all over again.”

Levein’s animation on the subject of his captain is so evident that it would be astounding if the Old Trafford man did not start. The other Fletcher poses him more of a problem. If the Sunderland striker starts in the usual 4-1-4-1 formation, then the faithful and tireless Kenny Miller presumably drops out.

If, on the other hand, Levein wants to accommodate both Miller and Fletcher on the field at the same time, he would have to alter his accustomed disposition, one which he declares as a mark of progress in schooling the players in his philosophy. More than once last night, Levein declared himself under no greater strain than usual.

“I don’t feel under any additional pressure,” he said. “Every manager is under pressure to get results and try and qualify. The reason I took the job is to be involved in these situations.”

The Tartan Army, already massing in the Welsh capital on Thursday, devoutly hope that his situation is unequivocally so by the end of Friday evening’s instalment of a turbulent rivalry.

Big match facts

Scotland have recorded only one victory in their last eight visits to Wales stretching back to 1975 but they need to improve on that sorry sequence in the Principality on Friday night. Craig Levein requires all three points from the tie in Cardiff to keep alive the nation’s fading hopes of reaching Brazil in 2014 and, for that to happen, his players must impose themselves on their direct opponents.

Key clashes

Alan Hutton v Gareth Bale
Once team-mates at Tottenham, Hutton has subsequently fallen from grace and must cope with the surging runs of Bale without having played a single minute for Aston Villa’s first team this season. However, the 27 year-old remains Levein’s first choice. Bale will provide a searching examination of Hutton’s fitness and technique as he seeks to add to his seven international goals.

Darren Fletcher v Aaron Ramsey
The Manchester United man’s return should restore solidity to Scotland’s midfield and he’ll be expected to dictate the pace of the game. He must also stifle Arsenal playmaker Ramsey, who dominated proceedings – and scored – when Wales beat George Burley’s side 3-0 in Cardiff three years ago. The 21 year-old also notched a superb goal against Olympiakos in the Champions League last week.

Steven Fletcher v Ashley Williams
There is a weight of expectation on the shoulders of Fletcher, whose only international goal came in a 2-1 win over Iceland at Hampden in April, 2009. He has improved considerably since then, though, and the Sunderland striker has five goals in five from Premier League games this season, while Wales captain Williams has endured a miserable time of it, conceding as Swansea and Wales have shipped 19 goals in his last seven outings.

Taken from telegraph.co.uk