David Weir has given his seal of approval to Darren Fletcher's appointment as Scotland captain for today's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Lithuania at Hampden.

Weir had been widely tipped to take over the armband in the absence through suspension of Barry Ferguson, his team-mate at Rangers.

Alex McLeish, the national manager, has, though, opted to continue with Fletcher, the 23-year-old Manchester United midfielder who led the side in last month's friendly win over South Africa.

"Yes, I can understand the decision," said Weir. "That's what the manager is there for, to make the decision.

"He has obviously thought about it and I respect that.

"Darren is new to the position but I'm sure that in the coming years it is something that he will grow into, learn and benefit from. But as a player, there is no doubting his abilities.

"He is playing at the highest level and he has been doing it for years now, so you can't question that at all."

At 37-years-old, Weir's age is referenced constantly when people consider his merits.

The centre-back has, though, shown little sign of creaking during an impressively solid start to the season with Rangers in domestic football and in Europe.

Weir afforded a smile at the fact today's referee at Hampden, the Slovakian Damir Skomina, is actually six years his junior.

Jokingly asked whether he would talk Skomina through the game, Weir said: "It would be nice to get that option but hopefully we won't be talking about him, we will be talking about one of our players making the news.

"But obviously the referee must be highly thought of to be in charge of a game of this magnitude at that age."