DARREN Fletcher still has plenty to offer as a player and a huge part to play if Scotland are to qualify for Euro 2016.
But the 30-year-old may just be reaching the point where a fresh start away from Manchester United would be beneficial.
That is the view of Scotland assistant manager Mark McGhee on the midfielder who has battled his way back to fitness after developing ulcerative colitis, but has lost his starting place with the national team to the likes of Scott Brown, Charlie Mulgrew and James Morrison. Fletcher is set to be the subject of reported interest from Hull City and Celtic next month.
"It is always a very difficult decision to leave a club like Manchester United," said McGhee. "But Phil Neville went to Everton and did well and there have been others too. He might be at the stage where he will make a move. Darren wants to play and the more he plays the better chance he has of playing in our team.
"There is a massive pressure when you have a player of his stature who has been left out. But the fantastic thing about Darren is that he helps you with that. When you go and talk to him and tell him 'this is what we are thinking' he shows a mature attitude. All that is going to happen with him is that he is going to roll his sleeves up even higher and be even more determined. He never looks for sympathy - that is the way he is. He takes responsibility. He doesn't blame other people.
"His attitude around the camp to those moments when we know he will be disappointed, his demeanour and his body language, help the manager unbelievably. You can only have respect for him. He is a brilliant boy to have around the camp.
"He still has loads to offer as a player. But obviously he will need to decide his future. Another pre-season and he will be back and still have a big part to play for us if we are to have any chance of qualifying."
McGhee also spoke of his delight at the goalscoring form of David Clarkson at Dundee. McGhee worked with the player at Motherwell - he was manager when his uncle, Phil O'Donnell, passed away on the pitch - then later signed him again during an unsuccessful spell at Bristol Rovers.
"Ah, I knew he would dry up, he always does!" McGhee joked "I haven't been in touch with him at Dundee but of course I have watched him with great interest and I have been delighted for him. I had the 10 months or whatever it was at Bristol Rovers and he was the best of the players I brought in. He never let me down because he was excellent but I ended up playing him in midfield. I was asking him to play three different positions on the same day and he was usually the best player.
"I think the timing of his run didn't coincide with Scotland need ing to look for a striker. It was at the end of our selection and people like Stephen Fletcher and Chris Martin were already in place. It is like we have said to [Leigh] Griffiths and all these young lads who have come in and gone out again - we will continue to have a look at them."
The Scotland assistant manager's Christmas message concludes with the hope that in their next competitive match, against Gibraltar at Hampden on March 29, the team can start rebuilding momentum after what was a collectively chastening defeat to England.
"I am not sitting here with any feeling of trepidation which is a sign that something good has to have happened along the way because I think we are feeling pretty relaxed," McGhee said.
"Immediately after the Republic of Ireland game I said to Gordon at least we can enjoy Christmas and there was that feeling.
"But as a group we were humbled a wee bit by the England game. It made us realise we still have a good bit to go - and I think that can be a good thing sometimes."
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