I DOUBT if there would be any disagreement that it is incumbent on the Scotland coach to select the strongest squad of players to represent our nation, at this summer's World Cup in France.

However, Mr Brown appears to have neglected his duties in his recent choice of players for the tournament. I cannot fathom his reasoning behind the selection of fringe players such as Tosh McKinlay, Scott Booth, Darren Jackson and Simon Donnelly, (the exception being McKinlay who of course plays reserve football). ''Tosh plays in a specialist position,'' offer Mr Brown, who, by his own admission, is looking to the European Championships in the year 2000. His selections only confirm his intentions to use the World Cup as a training ground for the future. This being the case, why not include left back Gary Naysmith of Hearts, one of our bright young stars? Scotland are not so rich in talent that we can afford such luxury of experimentation at this stage - the supporters deserve more and are being short-changed.

No Alistair McCoist in the line up? How can Mr Brown afford to ignore the man who is one of the finest natural goalscorers that Scotland has ever produced? 35-years-old - so what? Lothar Mattheus at 37 is the player of the year in his country, and is deemed young enough to warrant selection for the Fatherland. If Super Ally were to bundle the ball over the line against Brazil, with his now rather ample backside, I don't think you would hear any complaints from from the footsoldiers of the Tartan Army. Give him a sniff and that man will get you a goal. Mr Brown may yet rue the omission of McCoist, and cannot resort to the excuse that he has not played regularly for his club this season, as he has already laid out his stall with his selection of the aforementioned Fab Four.

In addition, do Scotland really need three goalkeepers? Whereas Italy, France and Argentina have already registered only two, taking the option of an extra outfield player, Mr Brown feels it is necessary to include Neil Sullivan, who has no chance of starting in any of the games in which we may be involved. Not what I call forward planning.

I hope with all my heart that the players who take the field in France in June will be good enough to do the job for us but somehow, I feel that we are already hamstrung by the selections of the coach. I have a strong sense of foreboding when I review our forwards, (Durie, Gallagher, Jackson and Donnelly) and then look at those of Brazil (Tonaldo, Romario, Edmundo and Bebeto). Let's pray the Brazilians have an off day on June 10.

In any case, my best wishes go to the players who will represent us. Give of your best, and show the world that we can play - at least a wee bit.

Bob Jamieson

Carlingview Boulevard,

Toronto, Canada.

q I WOULD like to thank Fergus McCann for his impressive achievements at Celtic. He achieved everything he set out to four years into his five-year plan. Celtic needed a strong, some might say dictatorial, leader. Coaches come and go. Wim Jansen has, of course, achieved immortality among supporters. His career is punctuated with short term affairs and providing a replacement with proven Euro experience is found then time will heal the wounds.

Supporters want to know the long-term plans and ambitions of the board. Do they want Celtic to be serious challengers in Europe? If so, how is this to be achieved? Cash or youth or both? Billy McNeill has stated that one of his big disappointments was that following the 1988 double the Celtic board did not build on that achievement. Celtic must not be allowed to stagnate. Across the city Rangers are still a bottomless pit in the spending department. There is no doubt that Dick Advocaat and mega millions are an awesome combination. No disrespect to the current champions, but supporters want more signings, exciting, stimulating signings at the top end of the market. Fergus's net spending on players was #4m. Good business, yes, but Celtic are now playing with the big boys in Europe, and at home, and need more muscle. Rumour has it that Fergus may be considering going in September or March. Is

Fergus willing to dip into profits so close to his selling up of shares? Fergus should bow out now rather than consolidate till the end of the season. Thanks to you, Fergus, the sinking ship is afloat, gleaming and full of eager passengers ready to embark on its next voyage. Time for a new captain, let's set sail.

Paul Trevisan,

8 Chesterfield Avenue,

Glasgow G12.

q LIKE many Celtic supporters, I am appaled at some of the

comments wafting from Fergus and Jock. To suggest an employee was going to be sacked after they had already resigned was childish, laughable, and quite frankly unprofessional. However, all that this suggests is that Celtic are not the greatest when it comes to employee and media management. After the past four years, this will come as no great surprise to anyone.

But before we hang the management I appeal to the Celtic supporters to examine the facts closely. Leave David Hay to one side, none of us really know the facts.

Firstly the players Celtic lost. Di Canio and Cadete were fantastic players but no angels. Both have a history of disturbance at other clubs. Van Hooydonk was a real find that knew his worth and will keep moving until he gets it. These three mercenaries would make the current Celtic team a winning European unit, provided they don't make the rest of the team leave also!

As for the managers? Lou Macari - the nomad who bought Wayne Biggins and Carl Muggleton. Enough said. Tommy Burns - built a great team that played terrific football, but did not win the league. Not a crime, but had we been able to find tactics that could beat Rangers, the story would have been different. Celtic needed fresh ideas then, but I think Tommy will be back one day a better, wiser man.

As for Wim? He insisted on a one-year contract and stood by that. He was a good coach, but not flawless. Celtic still managed only one victory against Rangers, he preferred David Hannah to Tosh McKinlay, the run-in was a nightmare and the team finished on less points than before. The longest Wim has stayed in management is two years, and Celtic were not the first club he has left because ''they were not to my way of thinking''. The same people who are crying for him to stay are those who laughed when he joined.

I am not blind and do not suggest that Celtic were not at fault also, but to say it is all down to bad management is also naive.

The criticism time and again, is that Fergus is ''more interested in profit and loss'', or ''he is not interested in the football side, just the business''. Often these are the same people who want him to compete by buying a players on a whim. If this season has taught us anything, surely it is that a strong team can easily spend #20m and be worse than the way they were before (Rangers, AC Milan, Newcastle, etc, etc).

Fergus and Jock will find a replacement coach and the team will be strengthened with new players using many ''thin dimes''. This money comes from good business not by the love of the club.

Those fans who are disillusioned should look at the team, the stadium, the financial position and look forward to the Champions' League. Celtic are in a terrible state are they not?

S Clemente

(address supplied).

q I generally enjoy the coverage given to golf by The Herald, especially as it includes Tartan Tour events.

I was surprised to read the piece on the Cardross Pro-am that told us the winner had ''pocketed #700 for little more than four hours 'work'.'' What is the insinuation here? That these Scottish professionals take a wee stroll round the countryside when they feel like it for a bit of pocket money?

These professional sportsmen work hard for a living and are paid purely on results. Play badly and they earn nothing, whilst paying for their own transport, accommodation, entry fees and caddies.

I doubt you would suggest that Scotland's football team's game against Brazil will be 90 minutes easy 'work'.

Karen Burnett,

20 Craighall Crescent,

Trinity, Edinburgh.