Same again for captain Charlie

CHARLIE MULGREW says he will keep on doing the things that have won him 32 caps after being handed the “massive honour” of the Scotland captaincy.

The Blackburn defender will wear the armband in tonight’s Hampden friendly against Costa Rica as Alex McLeish kicks off his second spell in charge.

The vacancy had emerged after Scott Brown retired from international football, Darren Fletcher was left out of the squad and Kieran Tierney, who skippered the Scots against Holland in November under caretaker boss Malky Mackay, pulled out with a calf injury.

Mulgrew, above, said: “It’s unexpected but I’m very honoured. I grew up watching Scotland, so to be captaining the team is great, massive.

“I grew up a Celtic fan, captained them and to captain my country is right up there with that. I hope the reason I’m captain is for what I’ve been doing and how I carry myself about the place and how I’ve played for Scotland in the past. So I just look to continue to do that.”

The long-term captaincy remains up for grabs with McLeish unable to confirm his skipper for Tuesday’s encounter in Hungary. “Charlie is a natural choice,” said McLeish. “It’s for this game, we will see what happens in the next game.

“This year with Blackburn he has excelled and he really looks a class act in that league. But we know he has played at the top level.

“Internationals are routine for Charlie and we want him to help the kids. He is a good leader and deserves to be captain.”

McLeish could give debuts to as many as nine players. Mulgrew added: “Everyone is working hard to push for starting places.”