Celebrations cut short

The celebrations from the Tartan Army were muted after Scotland clinched a European Championship play-off spot.

And manager Craig Brown yesterday found it difficult to disguise his disappointment at the reaction of the supporters.

Scotland go into the play-off draw next Wednesday in the German town of Aachen after defeating Bosnia 1-0 on Wednesday to finish second in Group Nine behind the Czech Republic.

Brown said: "I would love to play swashbuckling football but we haven't got any flair players at the moment, players like Denis Law and Jim Baxter.

"But you have to remember that Scotland in that era never qualified for the finals of the European Championship.

"We are on the verge of doing that again, so I think you have to give credit to the current group of players.

"I would like to think we compensate our lack of flair with efficiency and good organisation. You also have to be committed.

"I know the supporters weren't too happy with the performance on Wednesday. However, we were not playing a pub team but a high-quality team."

Meanwhile, John Collins, Scotland's goal hero, is out of the final Euro 2000 qualifier against Lithuania at Hampden Park on Saturday.

The 31-year-old Everton midfielder suffered a recurrence of a rib injury at Ibrox and has returned to the Premiership club for treatment.

Brown allowed Collins to return home yesterday and is now forced to shuffle his pack for Saturday's final qualifier.

David Hopkin is suspended for that match after picking up his second yellow card last night.

Colin Hendry is making slight progress after suffering a knee injury against the Bosnians but is highly unlikely to play.

Hendry's Rangers team-mates Barry Ferguson and Neil McCann rejoined the squad at their Troon headquarters tonight after missing the Bosnia match because of injury.

Brown has promised to give a debut to Celtic goalkeeper Jonathan Gould on Saturday, and will reinstate Everton striker Don Hutchinson, who was suspended for Wednesday's game.