Steven Fletcher is hoping to start for Scotland in Stockholm

By Chick Young BBC Scotland football correspondent

Craig Levein stepped on to Stockholm-bound flight SK 7123 with a jaunty step. His task, though, is to reach for the skies without the help of the aforementioned Boeing 737.

This is it then, a friendly in Sweden, the last game that doesn't really matter before scorelines become the basic commodity for the manufacture of ticker-tape welcomes - or nooses.

The retreat of half a dozen players through injury was embraced by the new manager with a sigh of acceptance, but don't be fooled by his cheery demeanour.

If he feels one of his players is acting like a big-time Charlie and is reluctant to perform for their country, then the individual in question will be booted out the door and his backside won't touch the pavement.

I like Levein. Always have. But ask Graham Hogg, his one-time Heart of Midlothian fellow centre half, what it was like to get on his dark side. One haymaker later and the debate was over - on the park and in full sight of an equally gobsmacked crowd too.

We've got the right man this time. At least we can console ourselves with the prospect that, if we don't win the European Championship, we might salvage a Lonsdale Belt.

Levein is sporting a new growth of hair on his sturdy chin

What we don't have, of course, is a team to outsprint the swaggering Spanish, who have tidily swept up the crowns of Europe and the whole world. This is a race for second prize.

But this time the play-off place in the group is far from beyond a squad that is now peppered with players making their way in the English Premier League and others who are heading in that direction.

There is something in the air my friends - and it is not just that flight across the North Sea.

Normally, there would be no undue rush to reach Ukraine and Poland. The dismal Donetsk, where even the birds cough, holds no appeal for this weary traveller.

But it is for there that Levein, sporting a new beard worthy of an old salt on the bridge, must set course.

And here, in spectacular Stockholm, where restrictive pricing allows the eager party animal to get a wee glow on for say, about £600, he has the wherewithal to lift spirits of a different kind for the journey ahead.

No Alan Hutton, nor Craig Gordon, in the squad, but still there is the opportunity to pick a team that is a marriage of flair and experience and promise for the days still to come.

Allan McGregor in goal. A back four of Steven Whittaker, Garry Kenneth, Christophe Berra and Lee Wallace. A four in the middle of Barry Robson, Darren Fletcher, Kevin Thomson and Charlie Adam. And, up front, the great James McFadden playing off Kenny Miller.

Does that not light your candle?

Do not unravel the bunting yet and it would be ridiculously far too premature to even ice the champagne - and maybe watching Motherwell the other night was scarily infectious - but I keep giggling to myself with anticipation.

Trust me. Something good is going to happen this time.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version