Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has paid tribute to sacked Scotland coach Craig Levein.

Scots skipper Fletcher couldn't play for his country for almost a year because of a lengthy lay-off with ulcerative colitis.

But he was never far from Levein's thoughts as he made constant phone calls to offer him encouragement as he recovered.

And that's something the Manchester United midfielder will always be grateful to him for.

Fletcher said: "Personally I'd have liked to see Craig staying on. I was sorry to see him go because I'd a lot of respect for him, professionally and personally.

"The good work he was doing wasn't coming to fruition on the park - we weren't getting the results and ultimately that's what football's based on. I spoke to him briefly just after his departure. He rang and asked me to thank all the boys for the time, support and effort they'd put in on international duty.

"He was disappointed when I spoke to him because he'd wanted to achieve good things for Scotland and he'd felt that when he took the job. A lot of the good work he did off the park didn't transmit to results but personally I have so much respect for him.

"He was in constant contact with me and that's something I'll always remember."