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| Fletcher backs Levein's Scotland reign • National captain has 'heard great things'• New manager has not decided on captaincyThe Scotland captain, Darren Fletcher, has welcomed the appointment of Craig Levein as his country's new manager.Under Walter Smith and then Alex McLeish, the Scots came close to qualifying for the 2008 European Championship from a group containing France and Italy. In the more recent 2010 World Cup qualifiers, Scotland looked set for a play-off before a catastrophic defeat in Norway in August which eventually cost George Burley his job. Levein has left Dundee United to be his replacement."It is important for Scotland that we went back to what we were a few years ago," said the Manchester United midfielder. "We were on the brink of something good. We were a dogged, hard-to-beat side who teams didn't like to come up against. We need to get back to that under the new manager."I have never worked with Craig Levein before but I have heard a lot of good things about him and I am looking forward to it."Levein is yet to decide whether Fletcher will remain as captain, although given that the United player has established himself as one of the most effective central midfielders in the Premier League he would appear to be the obvious choice, even if Birmingham City's Barry Ferguson ends his international exile.Levein will find out who Scotland's Euro 2012 qualifying opponents will be when the draw is made in Warsaw on 7 February. His first match in charge will be against the Czech Republic at Hampden Park on 3 March."We are desperate to get to a major championship," said Fletcher. "As a country we need it and as supporters, our fans deserve it. That is where all the focus will be."Craig LeveinScotlandManchester UnitedEuro 2012guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Barcelona 1-1 Villareal La Liga: The leaders dropped their first home points this season as David Fuster snatched a draw for the visitors guardian.co.uk |
Chicago News Cooperative | The Pulse: Chicago Withdraws From World Cup Bid After failing in a bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, civic leaders took Chicago out of the competition to host World Cup soccer games in 2018 or 2022. feeds.nytimes.com |
We can still make finals: Vidmar Adelaide United maintain they can still make the A-League finals despite languishing in last position with five matches remaining. foxsports.com.au |
Preston North End 0 Chelsea 2: match report FA Cup holders in fifth round courtesy of Nicolas Anelka and Daniel Sturridge goals despite being far from their imperious best. telegraph.co.uk |