Lambert: McManus is Scotland's long-term leader

Parkhead skipper McManus will lead out his country at the national stadium tonight when Croatia visit for George Burley's first match in charge.

And Lambert, who captained Celtic and Scotland, believes that one day he will inherit the international armband on a permanent basis when Ferguson, now 30, stands down from international duty.

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Welcome aboard: Scotland boss George Burley greets new skipper Stephen McManus, who is instantly afforded the VIP treatment by two local policemen during a light-hearted moment on the banks of Loch Lomond yesterday

"I think Stephen is the next Scotland captain in waiting, I really do," said Wycombe boss Lambert, who won 40 caps. "He has all the credentials to follow in a long line of great skippers and, as Celtic captain this season, this is a logical step forward for him.

"We don't know how long Barry will go on. What age is he now, 30? I'm sure he will continue with Scotland for a few more years but, as Stephen is five years younger, then he can take it after that.

"I honestly think that is the situation we are looking at because his performances for club and country suggest he will be around for quite a while with Scotland."

McManus, 25, is thrilled with the honour for tonight's friendly against Croatia, for which the SFA is hoping pay-at-the-gate turnstiles will entice more than 30,000 fans to turn out.

"It is something that can never be taken away from you, even if it is only for one night at the moment," said the Celtic defender. "I will let others judge my ability as a player and as a captain but all I can say is it feels like a massive honour.

"It was a real surprise when the manager took me aside because I hadn't been thinking about it at all."

Lambert helped nurture McManus when they played together in the reserves at Celtic during the former's final season.

"Stephen is a good player and he also happens to be a terrific guy," added the former Parkhead and Borussia Dortmund midfielder. "He is someone whose progress I have followed closely ever since I left Celtic and he has come on so much in the past couple of years.

"He took on the captaincy when Neil Lennon left and now this is a major honour for him. Stephen isn't a big-headed type. He has not let what has happened to him change the way he is; he's a good character to have around your football club.

"In my final season at Parkhead, I was taking coaching courses in Germany and winding down towards retirement. But I also played virtually the full season with the reserves and Stephen was one of those who was alongside me.

"I think he makes a good captain because of his temperament and the example he sets on and off the pitch. No matter what some people might think, being Scotland captain is a massive honour. He will be absolutely thrilled by that - I was the same any time I skippered my country."