Colliding with Patrick Vieira is not something every footballer would relish, yet Darren Fletcher cannot wait to resume his on-field acquaintance with France's totemic midfielder.

Some of Fletcher's most important formative experiences at Manchester United came when tangling with Vieira during his Arsenal days. As one of the most heated fixtures anywhere in English football, it ensured its participants grew up fast.

Fletcher's maturity in midfield will now be key to Scotland retaining sufficient possession in the Parc des Princes on Wednesday evening, when the national side aim to hold out against the expected onslaught from Raymond Domenech's team. Vieira, now with Italian champions Inter Milan, will be one of France's driving forces, but Fletcher feels ready to stand against him. "I used to have a few tangles with Vieira when he was at Arsenal," he said. "He's a world class player but that's who you want to pit yourself against. I think most of the lads will be the same in wanting to go out there and compete.

"Yes, they are names but you can't treat them like that. You have to treat them as a team and hold no fears. It's about playing the match and not the occasion.

"I've played against Vieira a few times and you rise to the challenge against those sort of players. I'm not saying I'm going to go there and dominate him because he's one of the best midfielders in the world with a real physical presence. But it will be a joy to play against him again and we'll see what happens.

"I think the whole squad has shown we can handle that company. We won't dominate France but we can compete even though it's difficult. We have resilience and team spirit and that can go a long way."

Fletcher captained Scotland in Saturday's 3-1 win over Lithuania but will welcome back Barry Ferguson to that role in Paris. The weekend victory has taken pressure off the cross-channel trip, where anything gained will be rightly viewed as an immense bonus in the battle to emerge from Group B.

"We had to win against Lithuania or it was over, really," said Fletcher. "The France game will be unbelievably difficult. Yes, Scotland are doing well but we've not achieved anything in terms of qualification.

"Don't get me wrong, the supporters can be proud of what we've done, but not many teams take something from France. They dominated us at Hampden and it was a resilient defensive performance that got us through. That was at home and it will be more of the same away. It might not be pretty but that's the way we'll play to try and get a result.

"They are World Cup finalists and still have a few who won it before, like Vieira. They're a world class team and anyone going out there would be underdogs."

Patrice Evra, on the bench for France's 0-0 draw with Italy on Saturday, could provide an Old Trafford element to Fletcher's scrap. "Pat has wished me luck and I'm glad he's in the French squad," said Fletcher. "I hope he has a good game, but that Scotland get the right result."

Lee McCulloch, meanwhile, is hoping that his first taste of Champions League football with Rangers proves beneficial. The midfielder was part of the Ibrox squad that travelled to Belgrade and drew 0-0 with Red Star to claim a place in the group stages.

"When there is a big crowd against you it is about mental toughness," said McCulloch. "It is about being organised and doing it for the cause.

"Obviously, we're going to need a bit of luck, but we'll go in with confidence. A few people are saying that we got them angry by winning at Hampden, but we're looking forward to it."