Scotland lose again, but is it such a bad thing?

Scotland lost 2-0 to World Cup bound South Africa this morning in Hong Kong. Goals either side of half time from Tetbogo Mokoena and George Koumantarakis were the difference as Berti Vogts record as Scots boss went to four games, four defeats.

A future Scotland cap?

The papers have been giving the German a hard time about this recently, but surely they should be looking at the bigger picture here. Of the starting line up, only four had appeared for the senior side under Craig Brown.

Hibs fans were extremely vocal about Brown's selections in friendlies when he was the boss, more often than not going with the old guard and not trying new players. Which, in my mind anyway, is the reason for friendlies - try new players, try new formations. If it doesn't work at least we found out in a nothing game, and not in one that means something.

And that what it should all come down to. If we get off to a flyer in the Euro 2004 qualifiers, I don't care if we get gubbed from the Hong Kong select that we play next!

Friendlies are about finding that diamond you never knew you had. How good did Kyle and Dobie look today? Give them some decent service and the goals may well come. What about Lee Wilkie in defence? Another find for the national team. Even if he doesn't get a regular starting place, if the regular get injured, you have no worries about throwing the Dundee man in.

Keep trying new guys Berti, keep trying different formations. Keep it in mind that Gary Smith had a great season for us if you need a dependable defender!