CELTIC star Charlie Mulgrew is set to be handed a key role in central midfield for Scotland in their Euro 2016 qualifier with World Cup winners Germany - if he recovers from an injury he picked up last week against NK Maribor.

Gordon Strachan's side face a huge task getting a result against the Joachim Low's men in their Group D opener in Dortmund on Sunday.

The national team hasn't lost a fixture in nearly a year - but they are missing two massive players in both Scott Brown and Robert Snodgrass.

Scotland coach Stuart McCall, though, is confident we can cope with the awesome physicality of the world champions in the Signal Iduna Park thanks to Mulgrew.

The former Rangers midfielder indicated he would be given the nod to play alongside Darren Fletcher in the 4-2-3-1 formation that has been favoured by Strachan.

The Motherwell boss said: "We have lost key men in both Brown and Snoddy. I think Scott has been not the biggest factor, but one of the biggest factors, in the turnaround.

"Under Craig Levein previously he was out for a long time with his injury. But he came back and was fully fit when Gordon took over.

"It doesn't matter if he is playing good, bad or indifferent. He always makes sure he gives his all - and everyone else follows his lead.

"He is an infectious person, a good character. He has been a big part of what we are doing and we will certainly miss his presence on and off the park."

McCall added: "But Charlie Mulgrew has been a find for Scotland. Him and Browny had a really good understanding together in the centre of midfield.

"He has done well since the manager has put him in there. In the game against England at Wembley and in other games he has been terrific. That is another added bonus.

"Certainly against the Germans, we need to match them physically in that area. They have energy and ability, but they are physically very strong.

"So to have the physical presence of Mulgrew in the middle of the park will certainly help us."

McCall is also pleased that Manchester United player Fletcher, who was sidelined with ulcerative colitis for much of last season, is fit and available for selection once again.

He said: "It is good for us that Darren has come back into the fold. I think Darren can be used in different ways.

"We also have the basis of a stronger defence, as a unit, with everyone working in the same way. That is down to the manager.

"Although myself, Mark (McGhee) and Gordon were more forward type players, we have worked hard trying to get a defensive system that allows us to go and express ourselves as we go forward. I think it is all down to the manager."

Meanwhile, McCall has revealed that Strachan identified Germany as the best team in the world when he was appointed as Scotland manager at the start of last year.

He said: "The gaffer talked about the Germans, not Spain or anybody else, from the minute he took over. I thought they were outstanding in the World Cup.

"They are the finished article. And they have one or two players, like Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund, who didn't go to the World Cup, who are back. Having said that, they have also lost a few. We are looking forward to it."