Pandering to swollen egos is worst possible start by Levein

I found my head nodding vigorously in agreement with Glenn Gibbons' article on our footballing stars and their attitude to playing for the national team.

How magnanimous of Barry Ferguson, below, to try and fit in games with Scotland – if his "commitments" allow.

How equally wonderful if Kris Boyd wants back – failing to be chosen by Rangers regularly caused him no problem but the dummy was spat out the pram when George Burley did the same.

No doubt goalkeeper Allan McGregor regrets joining his captain and giving the V-signs, but, hey, never mind, he has now deemed himself available again if chosen.

Is there another footballing country in the world which would put up with this kind of behaviour?

Better that we blooded our younger and promising players and kept our national pride than for Craig Levein to give in and go cap in hand to beg with these prima donnas to do us the favour of playing again for the Scottish team.

Levein should have told them what Jock Stein would have told them.

Pandering to the Glasgow-Rangers-centric media in this way is the worst possible start for him as national team manager.

ALEXANDER McKAY

New Cut Rigg

Edinburgh

Assistant referees need to offer greater assistance

THE present criticism aimed at our top class referees in Scottish football has ignored the most obvious point – the absence of any input in incidents by the other qualified referees taking part.

Why do referees not use their qualified assistant referees more and why does the SFA not insist that the assistant referees must do more to help than signal off-sides, corners and the odd foul? Most of the time, they have excellent views of goalmouth incidents both on and off the ball.

It is hard to believe that most of the major howlers made this season by referees would have happened if the assistant referees had been sharper and more involved.

And finally it is also vital that the referee is willing to accept the advice of his extra eyes. This is the way forward for greater accuracy and professionalism in football in Scotland.

Now it is up to the SFA to stamp their authority on the matter.

IAIN J McCONNELL

Speedybank

Gifford

East Lothian