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McMANUS WARMS TO MACEDONIA TEST
McManus before training on Friday.
Stephen McManus insists there will be no excuses when Scotland face Macedonia in Saturday's World Cup qualifying opener - including the hot weather.
Temperatures proved to be every bit as stifling as George Burley and his players feared they would be when the squad arrive in Skopje on Friday afternoon.
The Scots slumped to a 3-1 defeat in similar conditions against the Czech Republic in Prague in May and could struggle again when faced with a 3pm kick-off tomorrow.
But McManus - again wearing the captain's armband in the absence of the injured Barry Ferguson - insisted: "It's just something that we will need to get used to very quickly.
"We certainly won't be using that as an excuse. When you come to places like this you have to be prepared for whatever is thrown at you and this is just the way it is for tomorrow.
"It will be warm but we certainly think we can get a positive result."
McManus believes most of the players are experienced enough to prepare properly for the game but revealed they have been taking extra advice from the team doctors to ensure that are able to cope with the conditions.
He added: "A lot of players are professional enough and wise enough to know what their body needs.
"It's always good to get a bit of advice from people who have a bit more expertise than yourself so the lads have been taken a lot fluids, as you would do before a game."
If McManus was unwilling to use the Macedonian heat as an excuse, the Celtic captain was equally reluctant to criticise the playing surface at the City Stadium.
The defender has declared himself fit after suffering an ankle knock in last Sunday's Old Firm defeat and says he is relishing the challenge.
"It's going to be a good pitch and we are looking forward to the game," he said.
"It will be a physical game but I think it will be played at a slower tempo than what we're used to because of the weather.
"It's one that we are looking forward to. As players you adapt to the challenges set in front of you and this will be one tomorrow."
