Vogts denies Old Firm slur

Vogts names his squad to face Holland on Friday

Scotland manager Berti Vogts has branded Old Firm fans unpatriotic ahead of his adopted nation's Euro 2004 play-off clash with the Netherlands.

But the German has denied being critical, despite saying that he feels more Scottish than many followers of Rangers and Celtic.

Vogts admitted in a magazine interview that he was puzzled by the lack of Scottish flags on display at Ibrox and Celtic Park.

"I think I feel more Scottish than a lot of fans at Celtic and Rangers do," he told FourFourTwo.

"When I watched the Uefa Cup final between Celtic and Porto - okay, maybe I am very strange about Scotland - I saw only one Scottish flag in the Celtic corner. Most were Irish.

"It is the same at Rangers. I look around Ibrox and see a few small Scottish flags - always it is Union (Jack) flags.

"That is the difference with Germany. In Germany the first team is not Bayern - and they are bigger than Rangers and bigger than Celtic - it is not Dortmund.

"The first team in Germany is the national team. Here the first team is Rangers or Celtic."

However, Vogts said on Thursday: "Fans from all over the country, supporters of every club, come to Hampden for Scotland matches and I welcome their support.

"In the magazine, I was pointing out a big difference between German and Scottish football.

"In Germany, the national team comes first. Here in Scotland, for many fans, their club comes first and I accept that."

Scottish Football Association spokesman Andy Mitchell described the accusations as ridiculous and added: "I suggest that all media should buy a copy of the magazine and read Berti's views and all the positive things he has to say about football."

Vogts will name his squad for the first play-off game with the Dutch - which takes place at Hampden Park on 15 November - on Friday.

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