Vogts takes a hammering as chieftain of the games

Published on Monday 9 August 2004 01:51

IT IS not the sort of fling an international football manager normally revels in. But Berti Vogts found he enjoyed throwing a hammer when he opened a Highland Games yesterday.

Organisers of the Bridge of Allan games hoped Vogts would follow tradition by donning full Highland dress when they appointed him their first foreign chieftain.

Instead the 15,000 spectators made do with the sight of him in a grey suit. And some questioned his decision to join them rather than watch Celtic play Motherwell.

He arrived with his son, Justin, 16, on an open top bus shortly before 2pm - just as Celtic were unfurling the championship flag before a sell-out Parkhead crowd.

But he defended his decision to miss the chance to watch Scotland stars such as Jackie McNamara and Stephen Pearson in action just weeks before the World Cup qualification campaign gets underway.

And he insisted he had not yet earned the right to wear a kilt by leading the national team to qualification for a major championship.

Vogts said: "I have never worn a kilt since being appointed Scotland manager, and it is for a very good reason.

"I don’t think I will have earned the right to wear one until I have taken the national team to a World Cup or European Championship.

"So when we qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, you have my word that I will wear a kilt then.

"Nothing would make me prouder than going to my homeland in the traditional dress of my adopted country."

Vogts disclosed he was going to attend at least four football matches in the next week.

He added: "I watched Hearts play against Dundee yesterday, and I will be travelling down to England tomorrow to watch West Ham play. There are more English First Division games during the week, and then a full program of SPL and English Premiership fixtures at the weekend, some of which I will be attending.

"I have never been to a Highland Games before and I was very honoured to be asked to act as chieftain today."

But many spectators attacked the coach’s decision.

Scotland Travel Club member David Bett, 28, from Stirling, said Vogts should have been at Celtic Park.

He added: "The first World Cup qualifier against Slovenia is only a few weeks away.

"Surely Berti would have better earned his wages by watching the Scottish champions play their first game of the season rather than a bunch of wee girls dancing.

"He should at least have turned up in Highland dress, which would have sent a message to the Tartan Army that he is truly one of us now."