James McFadden's barren stretch of form at Birmingham City culminated in Alex McLeish taking the bold decision to drop the club's record £6m signing for the weekend defeat of Queens Park Rangers. Consolation could conceivably arrive in the form of the captain's armband for his country in the latest must-win instalment of Scotland's already tantalising World Cup qualification campaign, against Norway at Hampden Park on Saturday.

The international summons has always been a source of solace for the iconic enigma. Executioner of the careering comet in the Parc des Princes, the most memorable strike since Archie Gemmill's ultimately meaningless mazy run against Holland in Argentina, McFadden is in prime contention for a new and more personal honour.

Terry Butcher is an investor in fate. As he and George Burley seek a short-term replacement for the suspended leader, Stephen McManus, McFadden would be a popular and perhaps even inspired candidate to inherit the additional responsibility. Options are limited. Craig Gordon has the pedigree but not the required bark. Darren Fletcher has been awarded a new contract at Manchester United but has yet to impose himself in the Burley era. David Weir? Butcher actively batted away presumptuous talk of the 38-year-old replacing McManus at the back, far less taking his armband.

McFadden's prospects have been enhanced by a vivid memory from his youth that is branded in Butcher's mind. Then manager of Motherwell, Butcher acknowledged the precocious talent of the teenager by giving him the captaincy in a league match against Livingston. The result? A McFadden hat trick in a resounding 6-1 win.

The red stripe of hair dye and the rat's tail may be consigned to the past, but his influence has only been enhanced.

"That's my mind made up, then," said Butcher as he reminisced. Regardless of whether McFadden leads out Scotland, his presence alone will fill the Tartan Army with optimism against the brawny, uncompromising and unpretentious threat of Norway. McFadden has historically flourished on the international stage, even when mired in domestic misery. He was an infrequent performer throughout his career with Everton yet, in that time, managed to slay both Holland and France.

Ironically, having signed McFadden on the back of their international relationship during the enduring qualification campaign for Euro 2008, McLeish is now the latest club manager who has struggled to coax out the mercurial attacker's most potent form. Birmingham's apparent loss, if past evidence is any barometer, will be Scotland's gain.

McFadden is the antithesis of the John Barnes debate. Many observers were at a loss to explain Barnes' consistent failure to reach the heights attained at Liverpool while in the three lions of England. The contrast between McFadden's heroic exploits in the dark blue of Scotland and his more modest output at Everton and Birmingham is similarly mysterious.

"He relishes the challenge of international football, possibly because there is more time and space on the ball," suggested Butcher. "I got a bit of stick from David Moyes when I said he should leave Everton to play more regularly, then I got stick for saying he should stay, so I should be careful.

"I wouldn't say he was dropped, it is just Birmingham have a lot of striking options, and Alex went for something different that worked. When I have seen him he has always done all right."

Against the regimented Norwegians, McFadden's instinctive, even improvisational, style will again be Scotland's most lethal outlet. For Burley and Butcher, it is a risk worth taking.

"He keeps the ball well for you but I know from experience that he can lose the ball sometimes," said Butcher, who was speaking at a Nationwide Building Society event. "That's just the way he is and he's the reason why I drink. It is not something you can knock out of him, or want to knock out of him. He can be the difference between winning and losing matches.

"He can score wonder goals but he is a more mature player these days, too. Like any outstanding talent, sometimes they have to realise the simple pass is just that. He wants to do everything with style because he has the ability to do it; he wants to curl the ball into the box, or beat four men.

"We never had an untouchable' in the England team, except maybe Peter Shilton or Bryan Robson, but they were different types of players. Even Gazza had to work hard for his place, especially in the latter years of his career.

"I don't think he has suffered for playing in the Championship. They still play football, it's just a more powerful version than the Premier League. There is maybe not the same finesse but the quality is still high and, for Birmingham this season, getting the three points is more important than style."

Scotland's remit, from the outside, is simple: neuter the supply line to the one-dimensional Carew and keep McFadden in handsome possession. Butcher applies the coaches' outlook to the challenge.

"How do you stop John Carew? Ask John Terry," he joked, after Chelsea's commanding 2-0 win against Aston Villa at the weekend, in which Carew was a passive presence. "I have seen Carew have some great games for Aston Villa but some average ones as well.

"The toughest opponents are ourselves. Everyone knows Scotland's competitive home record is excellent so we have to be careful the players don't think they just have to turn up to win the game. We have set standards at home we have to maintain."

With Carew the clear and present danger, surely Weir's experience will be vital? "Do not assume anything," said Butcher elusively. "I have spoken to David and so has George. We have been in regular contact and David knows the script: he will always be proud to play for Scotland and when the country comes calling, he is always prepared to answer the call.

"He joked he might get a rest this week but, without being flippant, he has had plenty rest with Rangers what with everything that happened in Europe . . ."