James Morrison is determined to end an impressive season personally on a high by guiding Scotland to a positive result against Croatia.
The midfielder has been handed the captain's armband for Friday's World Cup qualifier in Zagreb. Morrison has taken on the role of skipper with West Brom but will perform the duty for the first time at international level in the Maksimir Stadium. And, despite such a daunting task against one of the top ranked nations in the world, he wants to enjoy the occasion.
Morrison said: "I'm delighted. I was a bit shocked but also proud. I'll take this through the rest of my career and I just can't wait to get started now. I'll just do what I always do and try to lead by example. I'll try to encourage the players and try to get a performance."
Morrison was given the nod for the job, with Darren Fletcher, Kenny Miller, Scott Brown and Gary Caldwell all absent from a depleted squad.
He added: "I've had the armband in the FA Cup against Queen's Park Rangers and that was a very proud moment and something I enjoyed so I'm ready for the task again.
"All of this experience helps you going into a game. This might only be one time, I don't know, but I'm going to enjoy it. I've had a good season personally and I want to finish on a high - there is no reason why we can't."
Croatia head into the match joint top of the section with Belgium, while the Scots prop up the group with just two points.
Morrison said: "It's going to be a really tough game. They are flying high in fourth in the rankings and they've got some world class players. We are missing a few key players so it's going to be a very tough task but we have worked really hard in training and I think we are ready for it.
"We went to Belgium and it was a tough task and this will be on a par with that game. We've just got to be ready for it."
Asked how the less experienced members of the squad will approach the game, Morrison said: "They've got to do what they do every Saturday. They have to go into the game with positive thoughts and just enjoy. Sometimes you don't get this kind of opportunity so you have to take it with both hands."
Source: PA
