By Colin Moffat

Berti Vogts insists he can see a bright future for Scotland but given recent results it's hard to share the manager's optimism.

Vogts' less-than-perfect grasp of English often leads to quizzical looks among the ranks of the Fourth Estate during press conferences.

And supporters must be scratching their heads at the manager's post-match utterings - as the German struggles to explain away a series of disappointing results.

If the public has no idea what Vogts is saying, then it begs the question: do the players?

Berti Vogts has made a number of strange decisions

On the evidence of many shambolic performances, the answer could well be no.

Former international midfielder John Collins made a valid point after February's embarrassing defeat in Cardiff when he queried Vogts' ability to organise or motivate clearly.

While the language barrier may explain some of his apparent contradictions, many of his decisions since taking over from Craig Brown in March 2002 have been downright baffling.

His recent move to hand the Tartan Army a permanent squad number was designed to get fans onside after poor showings but is a transparent gesture that only brought more ridicule from a press already baying for blood.

Then there was the bizarre approach to top level club manager Gordon Strachan, who he wanted to look after youth players.

Most importantly, Vogts has got it wrong on the field.

It is widely acknowledged that there is a paucity of Scottish talent from which to draw and the usual mass withdrawals from friendly matches has prevented Vogts from introducing any continuity of selection.

But the manager has made a habit of playing players out of position.

Christian Dailly looked lost in central midfield against Wales, the same happened to Dominic Matteo before his premature international retirement and let's try to forget Paul Dickov playing on the wing in the Faroe Islands.

David Weir is an experienced defender Scotland could sorely do with but the Everton man turned his back on his country after being picked out for public criticism from Vogts.

Vogts blooded many youngsters during his first few games only to jettison them after heavy defeats and then recall some when matters did not improve.

It can do nothing for morale when players are in and out of the manager's plans.

Scotland finished second in Euro 2004 qualification to World Cup finalists Germany and lost out to the classy Dutch in the play-offs. It would be churlish to suggest Vogts should have done better.

However, a series of woeful performances in friendlies would suggest the team is not improving. And a world ranking of 56 - below Qatar and Honduras - only serves to underline this sad fact.

Scotland have won just six of the 23 games Vogts has overseen.

Scotland fans filled Hampden for the final three home games in the European Championship qualifiers and the play-off first leg with Holland.

But only 20,000 fans turned up for Wednesday's friendly loss to Romania, which suggests the brief popularity of the national team is once again on the wane.

Vogts has made much of the promising young talent at his disposal but callow players need to be harnessed properly and results like the thumpings in Cardiff and Amsterdam could damage their development at international level.

Players like Darren Fletcher, Stephen Pearson, Paul Gallagher and James McFadden have got time on their side - whether Vogts does is questionable...