Berti in no Russ to use Ando

Russell Anderson had to suffer the ignominy of sitting unused on Scotland's bench yet again as Berti's blues drew 0-0 in an entertaining game. This must have been particularly galling for the Dons' number four as the player who has jumped the queue to become Stephen Pressley's back-up, Malky Mackay, showed a complete lack of international quality.

With Pressley always likely to fail a late fitness test, Anderson must have thought he had a chance of pulling on the navy blue for only the fifth time. The Dons' defensive record has been superb so far this season, being the only senior club in Scotland and England to have yet conceded a goal five weeks into the season. Coupled with Zander Diamond's excellent display as captain of the under-21s on Tuesday, a call-up for Russell would have put the seal on a great first month for the Reds' central defensive pairing. But it was not to be.

However, with the Scotland defence looking as vulnerable as a moist prawn cracker against the modest attack of Slovenia, Berti Vogts must surely take the view that it is Russell's time to prove himself – a chance that the Aberdeen skipper would relish. Despite being only 25 years old, Anderson has started nearly 200 games for the Dons and is entering the prime of his career. Berti has nothing to lose: every Scotland match brings him closer to the exit door as even the fans that initially supported his appointment begin to make their grumblings more vocal.

As could be seen last night, MacKay, Webster and Caldwell are not the answer for Scotland. It is time for Russell to be given the Scotland number 6 shirt he deserves. The only worry being: where on the pitch will Berti play him?