Scots delay Germany match

Berti Vogts wants time to build his team

Berti Vogts got what he wished for when Scotland avoided an early match with Germany in the Euro 2004 campaign.

He had to make do with opening away games against the Faroe Islands and Iceland instead of the home ties he would have preferred.

But that was largely down to weather conditions in the North Sea islands and the Scots believe that they will be visiting at the right time of year.

The new national coach was in Frankfurt on Tuesday for negotiations about the Euro fixtures.

Vogts told BBC Radio Scotland that he was pleased with the final fixture list.

We are satisfied with what we got

SFA chief David Taylor

But he admited: "We would have preferred to play Germany in Germany first, but they are first in the ranking and tell us what to do.

"It was the same with England and Germany for the World Cup."

Scottish Football Association chief executive David Taylor said: "It was not exactly what we were looking for.

"But you have to give and take in these things and we are satisfied with what we got.

"The most important thing was not to get Germany in our last game, especially away from home."

Germany will head for Hampden Park on 7 June 2003, with the return match on 10 September.

Vogts' predecessor, Craig Brown, had usually preferred to entertain the better sides early in his campaigns.

But the German decided that he would rather take on his countrymen later rather than sooner.

Vogts wanted to avoid facing the group favourites while he was still getting to know his squad of players.

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Scotland's 2004 qualifying fixtures:

Saturday 7 September: Faroe Islands (away)

Saturday 12 October: Iceland (away)

Saturday 29 March 2003: Iceland (home)

Wednesday 2 April: Lithuania (away)

Saturday 7 June : Germany (home)

Saturday 6 September: Faroe Islands (home)

Wednesday 10 September : Germany (away)

Saturday 11 October: Lithuania (home)