Stephen McManus is "honoured" to be named boss George Burley's first Scotland captain - but he knows the armband will return to Barry Ferguson.The Rangers skipper is one of seven withdrawals ahead of the visit of Croatia, who will use the game as preparation for this summer's European Championships in Austria and Switzerland.
McManus will be more than happy to lead the Scots out at Hampden tomorrow night but the 25-year-old Celtic captain accepts the temporary nature of his reign.
He said: "It's a great honour, probably the biggest honour I've had in the game so far along with, obviously, when I was given the captaincy of Celtic at the start of the season.
"Keep the armband? No, it's common sense to show respect to Barry.
"But it's a tremendous honour to lead your country, even if it's for one game, five minutes or 10 minutes.
"It's something that I will enjoy looking back at and it is something that no-one can take away from you.
"However, my main aim is to stay in the side and anything else that comes after that is a bonus."
The withdrawal of Gers stars Ferguson, Allan McGregor, Lee McCulloch and Christian Dailly and Celtic's Barry Robson from Burley's squad has caused a stir ahead of Saturday's crunch Old Firm game at Ibrox.
But McManus is determined to focus solely on getting Burley off to a winning start.
"When you are at your club, you don't talk about the international side and when you are away with your international side, you don't talk about club matters," the big defender said.
"When you are here, the most important thing is being with your country and speaking about your country and that is what we are doing.
"As a player you look forward to playing in all sorts of games and I'm looking forward to Wednesday night.
"It's going to a big test. We are gearing up for the World Cup and that starts now.
"We know how good a side Croatia are, they have obviously qualified for the Euros which is great credit to them.
"But as well as it being the manager's first game, new players have come in to the squad and they will relish the challenge."
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