Rainer Bonhof and Berti Vogts are both under pressure

There have been calls for Vogts to resign after the draw in Moldova.

But Bonhof, who is himself under pressure after poor results, told the Sun newspaper: "I feel sorry for him. But one thing, he's not is a quitter.

"People here know the reasons for the problems right now, but they ignore them and attack Berti."

Vogts' side have just two points from three World Cup qualifiers and his fate could be decided at the next Scottish Football Association board meeting.

There are suggestions that it would cost �1m to sack both Vogts and Bonhof.

The players are still behind him Rainer Bonhof

"All over the world, if you lose matches, you are criticised," said Bonhof.

"This is the life of a football manager, but you have to ask yourself why the critics are so strong in Scotland.

"Berti is a very fine man and a very fine coach.

"At the moment, people are looking beyond this because they need someone to blame. They feel Berti is to blame, so they go after him.

"The players are still behind him. That says everything."

Former Scotland international and present Newcastle United manager Graeme Souness also has sympathy for Vogts.

"It is disappointing for everyone who takes an interest in Scottish football," he said.

"As the manager of a national team, you cannot go out and buy players, you can only work with the players that country has thrown up at that particular time.

"I think, right now, it is generally accepted that the Scottish system has not produced many top players in recent years and it is going to be hard for whoever has that job to do well at international level."

Meanwhile, it has emerged that Scotland's national team video expert, Matthew Liddell, was spat on by a supporter at Chisinau Airport after Wednesday's game.

Skipper Barry Ferguson said: "Like all the players, I was upset and angry when I heard about the spitting incident.

"We were all bitterly disappointed we didn't get a result in Moldova, but I don't think anyone should sink to that level."