Former Scotland coach Berti Vogts is shocked by the health problems of Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher.

Vogts gave Fletcher his Scotland debut at the age of 19 in August 2003 - and the Azerbaijan manager reacted with horror at the devastating news.

He told the Scottish Sun: "I can't believe what you're telling me.

"I came off a plane from Dubai and I hadn't heard anything about this. It's dreadful news, just terrible.

"It's so, so sad and my first thoughts are with Darren and his family.

"I will ring Sir Alex to ask him to send on my strongest thoughts as I know he is a big admirer of Darren and will really be hurt by this.

"It seems so wrong because Darren is such a fit guy it seems as though this wouldn't be something that would happen to him.

"But it only shows illness shows no one any respect.

"He was a wonderful player for me, a wonderful leader and he was a great captain of Scotland. I could always rely on him and the coaches who followed me obviously thought the same way - he was someone you built a squad round.

"He always has so much energy and is such a positive person on and off the park. He was the kind of person I was happy to have on my side because he was a leader of men."