FOR WHAT PURPOSE?

When Scotland line up for the anthems prior to tonight’s friendly against Spain in Valencia, instead of Flower of Scotland, it would probably be more fitting if our hosts played The Flowers of the Forest.

As Vogts reaches what surely must be the death throes of his time as national team boss, it would seem more apt if any rousing rendition of our national tune was substituted with a funereal lament.

Having seen the SFA fail to heed calls from this, and other places, for Vogts to be relieved of his duties after the debacle that was the defeat against Hungary a fortnight ago, we face this game and the opening World Cup qualifier against Slovenia with a sense of foreboding.

The only grounds for optimism are that it is a friendly, so Spain might take it easy and that they are in no great shape themselves as they try to rebuild after a disastrous Euro 2004.

That’s hardly reason to get the combative juices of the Tartan Army flowing. Only two things are likely to do that — the appointment of a new manager or, if Berti stays, a miracle.

Looking specifically at tonight’s game, it remains impossible to work out why anyone in Scotland’s position would agree to take on such high profile and, potentially, quality opposition as the Spaniards just days before the start of a World Cup campaign.

Even if there is a minor miracle in the Ciudad de Valencia and heavy defeat is avoided, the decision to play there cannot be vindicated. Arrange a game sure, but arrange one where your players can work on the tactics you plan to use in the next competitive fixture.

Surely, though, given his liking for last-minute changes, nothing can be taken for sure with Berti, against Slovenia the mindset will be attacking. Win, draw, lose, or be humiliated by the Spanish tonight, it’s a certainty that, for long periods, Scotland will be on the back foot. You can’t play against the likes of Reyes and Morientes in their own backyard and expect to do most of the attacking.

What purpose, other than topping up on the suntan on the Costa Blanca, does this game serve? Answers on a postcard please, because, for the life of me, I can’t figure it out.

Of course, the Spanish reasoning for wanting to face Scotland is easily understood and those obliging senors have been kind enough to spell it out for us. They fixed up the Scots because they see us as being similar in style and standard as pending World Cup opponents — San Marino.

Has there ever been a greater indictment of a Scottish national side that that? Surely not. What’s worse, it’s probably an accurate appraisal.

Perish the thought, and wash my mouth out with soap for even suggesting this, but perhaps the best that can come from this game is a defeat to finally persuade those in charge at the SFA to take their heads out of the sand.

As stated before in this space, once the whistle blows at 9 o’clock tonight, all I will want to see is a Scotland win. In the cold light of day, however, the thought that it could be a case of taking another defeat on the chin, so that the team can move forward under new and more capable leadership, is not uninviting.