Edwin van der Sar has expressed astonishment at criticism of Darren Fletcher�s recent performances for Scotland and is convinced his he will be able to replicate his club form for his country at Hampden Park this afternoon.

Edwin van der Sar has expressed astonishment at criticism of Darren Fletcher's recent performances for Scotland and is convinced his Manchester United team-mate will be able to replicate his club form for his country at Hampden Park this afternoon.

The Dutch goalkeeper has returned from international retirement to help out Bert van Marwijk in his country's World Cup qualification double header against Iceland and Norway.

Van der Sar is hoping for a draw between Holland's two strongest group rivals, Scotland and Norway, when they meet at Hampden Park but expects Fletcher to thrive after being awarded the captaincy in the absence of both Stephen McManus and Barry Ferguson.

"I wasn't aware of the criticism of Fletch but I find it hard to believe," said the 37-year-old.

"In the four years I've known him he has clearly progressed a lot and you see that. In the beginning he was one of the youngsters, the 20th or 21st man in the squad, but slowly he developed, coming into the 16 and now he's playing on a regular basis.

"Even after being sidelined for a long time with injury, he came back stronger and in a short time he was playing important matches at the highest level again. In all the matches he has played for us, he has played really well.

"I notice that he's been made the captain of Scotland and that's great for him.

I hope that brings a positive. I know that the Scots are proud folk and that will be good for him and Scotland."

Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, gave his blessing to Van der Sar's short-term international return. The goalkeeper might not have been so lucky if Van Marwijk had requested his services ahead of games against Scotland.

"That's a good question. He probably wouldn't have allowed me to play in that case," pondered van der Sar, who earned the first of his 129 Dutch caps to date in a 1-0 win over Scotland in 1994.

"He didn't tell me to keep a clean sheet but I don't think he was thinking that far ahead. He just wished me and all the other internationalists success in their matches."