For some reason, Gordon Strachan, like his counterpart George Burley in the national team, cannot seem to accept that when players are having real off days, early substitutions are necessary. Celtic's performance against minnows Aalborg was poor and to wait until well into the second half with no substitutions and then change again with a few minutes to play was simple desperation.

Georgios Samaras strolled through the first 20 minutes contributing nothing. Surely after half an hour Strachan should have seen that, and replaced him. Shunsuke Nakamura also was a shadow of what he can be. He too should have been replaced early.

If Strachan had delivered fresh legs and ideas before half time, or just after, it would also have sent a signal to other players to step up their game. On the night, Celtic and the manager did not perform and sadly, as a result, Scotland has no more interest in Europe. Worryingly, Scotland faces the same problem in the World Cup.

IAIN J McCONNELL

Speedybank

Gifford

East Lothian

Dane and dusted

Berti Auld says that Aalborg is the worst team ever to beat Celtic. Mind you, the only chances Celtic got were because Aalborg loosened up.

One can understand why Celtic never win away – they are such a poor team. From defence to the Greek striker Samaras they are just not good enough, and it would really show good sportsmanship that you Scots finally recognised this.

ERVIN HANSEN

Denmark