Vogts gags Scotland backchat

Scotland manager Berti Vogts has told his players to cut out the backchat to referees in their bid to qualify for the Euro 2004 finals.

The Scots travel to Lithuania on Wednesday as surprise leaders of Group Five after Lithuania's surprise 1-1 draw with World Cup runners-up Germany in Nuremberg.

Before the Iceland game, Vogts called on his players to be more vocal on the pitch and shout and swear at each other if necessary.

But the German is now keen to make sure no-one else picks up a booking for dissent after captain Paul Lambert, Scotland's most experienced player, committed just such an offence on Saturday, arguing with Dutch official Rene Temmink over the length of added time.

"Maybe he said a bad word in Dutch - I don't understand Dutch. Paul was so full of emotion and he was right - it should have been four minutes not five," Vogts said.

"But you have to be very careful with international referees. In the UK, when you watch all the matches the referee is there having discussions with the players, but international referees don't like that. So don't speak to the referee."

Meanwhile, Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson has pulled out of the Scotland squad because of a groin injury.