James McFadden was an international man of mystery.

He was the player whose quick thinking rifled Scotland to a 1-0 Euro 2004 play-off first leg over Holland. He was the genius that caused the Tartan Army to party in Paris nine years ago with a moment of brilliance from 35 yards and, against Lithuania at Hampden in that same year, hammered in a terrific drive to seemingly put Scotland on course for a return to a major finals.

The truth was, you never quite knew what the enigmatic forward, blessed with the creative football mind not seen for a generation in a dark blue jersey or indeed the talent to go with it, would do when that wee white baw would trundle to a stop at his feet.

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Almost a decade on from that day at the national stadium when McFadden continued to blaze a trail across continental football, he’s now charged with keeping the home fires burning at Motherwell as the country’s best go and face that same opposition this Saturday night.

In his role as assistant manager to Mark McGhee, the forward has stepped into his gaffer’s shoes this week as McGhee takes his place alongside Gordon Strachan and Andy Watson in the Scotland dug out for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers this weekend and also on Tuesday when they travel to Slovakia.

It was a task he performed to his credit during the last international break which, strangely enough, also coincided with the transfer deadline day window coming to a close. It was a baptism of fire for the man left holding the fort, but he was more than happy to soak up the experience of welcoming a new face through the Fir Park front door as a senior representative of the club he first left 13 years ago on the road to Goodison Park.

“It was the transfer window and deadline day when the gaffer was away but we kept in touch,” said McFadden. “The day started out with me going up to Mar Hall to watch a bit of Scotland training on deadline day and I spent a bit of time with the manager then.

“I ended up to the club until the back of midnight when Ryan Bowman came in. I think it’s important that guys like myself or manager are there. If he’s not then it’s up to me to represent the club. It was a good experience for me and I enjoyed it. I’m glad it’s done but it’s all part of the learning process.

“I was at Mar Hall and the manager got the call that Marvin Johnson’s deal [move to Oxford United] was going through. That’s when we went for Ryan and got him. By the time I got my dinner and back I got the call to say he was going to be there in half an hour. I went to the club to speak to him.

“I introduced myself. I think it’s important that a senior member of staff is there, and that’s what I am now.”

Not that many of his team-mates will let him forget it. McFadden was brought in to replace Steve Robinson as McGhee’s deputy back in July, but he also performs the role as Motherwell’s talisman, a duty he has carried out with aplomb off and on, the off and on again - and again - over the years.

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Even on Friday night he came off the bench to give some glimmer of hope to Motherwell supporters as his stunning free-kick took the edge off a poor 3-1 home defeat to Hearts.

McFadden acknowledges it was an unusual transition to take one step into coaching while leaving his other foot still in a football boot, especially during his first international break where he was left in charge, but he added: “I can be the good guy because they know when the gaffer comes back it’s going to be running!

“The training is still hard, the tempo is good. The boys have a great attitude towards it and it helps me out.

“I’m one of the boys but when it comes to it my job is as the assistant manager. I have a good laugh with it. The boys are great and for a laugh I can pull rank a bit. It’s all banter.

“The adjustment was strange at first but we’re all used to it now. It’s gone smoothly so far.”

McFadden is not in the Scotland Hall of Fame, although let’s be honest, he should be. He sits with 48 caps and the realisation that another two to get him over that threshold will now not arrive for the man at 33 whose last appearance was 2010. Far beyond mere number, though he has, even in the twilight years of his playing career, the ability to get fans inching towards the edge of their seats or holding their breath at what he’s going to do next. Not just me, then?

As he stood on the banks of the River Clyde last month watching the current crop of Scotland players be put through their various drills and training exercises, the ambitious cocky kid inside must have been desperate for the chance to swap places with those in dark blue in front of him.

Still, it doesn’t stop him being optimistic about what this group can achieve.

He said: “Gordon will approach this one in the same way he probably has approached every game. It will be how best can we play?

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“We’ll play to our strength and that seems to be the key under him. I think it will be the same again.

“I think Lithuania will be worried about how to play us. I know they had a good result in their opener [2-2 draw with Slovenia] but we have to be confident. It’s a game we should win and I think we will go into it with confidence that we’re going to win it.”