Olsen hails Scotland duo

Denmark manager Morten Olsen is a big fan of two of Scotland’s most promising young talents Darren Fletcher and James McFadden.

The duo, with just 18 caps and 41 years between them, were the outstanding individuals in the 1-0 friendly defeat in Copenhagen.

Manchester United midfielder Fletcher dominated play in the first half and came close to giving his side a lead.

Everton forward McFadden was a constant problem for an experienced Danish back line although he ended up missing three good chances, including one he knows he should have converted to give his side an equaliser.

Olsen is preparing for the Euro 2004 finals but made encouraging noises about Scotland manager Berti Vogts’ chances of steering his adopted nation to the World Cup finals in 2006.

And the main reasons for those were Fletcher and McFadden.

He said: “We are ahead of Scotland at the moment and to build a new team takes time.

“I have followed Berti’s progress as Scotland manager. He has many young players and that is the way forward.

“With Fletcher and McFadden you have two individuals who can be very good players in the Scotland team.”

Fletcher had to cope with the losses of fellow midfielders Gary Holt and Colin Cameron as both succumbed to injuries.

But the 20-year-old seemed unfazed and willing to accept the extra responsibility without any qualms.

Vogts said: “I have have always been a fan of Darren Fletcher. He is a fantastic footballer.

“He plays most of the matches for Manchester United. He took over the whole match and ruled the midfield.”

Fletcher regards a central midfield role as his best position, although he has also been used on the right by both Vogts and club manager Alex Ferguson.

Vogts added: “I think it (a central role) is also the future for Darren at Manchester United. I have spoken a lot of times with Sir Alex about it and that is the best position for Darren.”

Vogts opted to give Hibernian’s Gary Caldwell a run out at right back, a position that has been troubling Vogts, with Maurice Ross, Graham Alexander and Graeme Murty all tried and discarded in that position.

He said: “He has played a lot of matches for Hibs and he did very well.”

Sunderland striker Kevin Kyle played the whole 90 minutes as McFadden’s strike partner and Vogts revealed that the player’s club commitments, which could include a play-off final soon, had been the main reason for keeping Rangers striker Stevie Thompson, the only other target man in the squad, on the bench.

He said: “Sunderland are looking for a play-off place and I wish then a lot of luck.

“Now I have seen him for 90 minutes. Maybe it will not be possible for Kevin Kyle to join us for the other friendlies if he is going to Cardiff for the play-off final.”