Pressure mounts on Vogts as Scotland lose again

Scotland lost their third match in a row last night adding to the growing pressure on manager Bertie Vogts.

With England not having a match on this free international date, all eyes were north of the border as the Scots looked to salvage some confidence ahead of this September's 2006 World Cup qualifiers kick-off.

However, a 60th minute header from Denmark's Ebbe Sand consigned Scotland to defeat in this Copenhagen friendly and put paid to any hopes of a revival in Scottish international football.

Denmark, of course, are playing in this summer's tournament something only Scotland can dream about having lost to Holland in the qualifying play-offs.

Since then however defeats to the hands of Wales and Romania have led many to call for the manager's head.

Vogts tried to play on whatever plus points he could take from last night's match. He said: "We created lots of chances for an away game, but when you get these chances in international football you have to take them.

"All my players played with heart and emotion and that's what Scotland needs."

Next for Scotland is a friendly away to Estonia in Tallinn in May.

In Belfast, there was more positive news for Lawrie Sanchez's men as they secured a draw against Serbia & Montenegro, a team 72 places higher in FIFA's world rankings.

Things started off badly for the Irish when Veljko Paunovic put Serbia ahead after seven minutes. However, the home side replied just 10 minutes later through a superbly crafted goal by James Quinn.

The Irish could have added several more in the second only for the heroics of Serbian keeper Kovacevic.

Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez said: "They were rattled. It was a good performance and it's starting to get where I want us to go.

"We should have won it at the end and we're getting towards being a decent side and making progress in every game.

"We were a bit slow off the mark in the first 20 minutes but once we got going, we weren't bad at all."

Northern Ireland travel to the Caribbean next for a three match tour in May and June.

The Republic of Ireland, meanwhile, played out a 0-0 draw with Poland, one of Northern Ireland's opponents alongside England and Wales in the forthcoming World Cup Qualifying campaign.

The plus points for Brian Kerr's men, who were missing several first team players including Roy and Robbie Keane, was Liam Miller and Andy Reid.

Both men played some neat football with Miller having a great second half chance, however he snatched at it and put it over the bar.

There were very few chances for either side in what was quite a dour game but it was a purposeful exercise for Irish manager who had a chance to try out some new faces.

"I had 11 players who withdrew from the squad and another four or five who were not even available and they were quite near their best team," said Kerr.

"We had a team with a lot of young players with potential.

"It wasn't much of a game but the pitch was too grassy and the ball did not move well for either team."

The Republic face Romania at Lansdowne Road next month, a formidable task given the Romanians beat Germany 5-1 last night.

(MB)