There was a phrase yesterday that Scotland manager Craig Brown summoned up to put into perspective his predicament as he lays his plans for the assault on France and the World Cup in the summer.
After seeing his team beaten 1-0 by Denmark at Ibrox, minus five players who will be first choice for him in June, Brown mused: ''Our problem is that we don't have a massive supporting cast.''
The supporters who were at Ibrox would agree with that. Those of us who have followed the team throughout the qualifying campaign would endorse his view.
Sadly, there is little that Brown can do to change things before Scotland head for France and the finals.
He admitted that yesterday as he looked back on the warm-up game against the Danes, who are rated high above us in the FIFA world rankings.
Pointing out that Kevin Gallacher and Gordon Durie would be the men chosen first for the demanding front roles in the summer, Brown admitted: ''I don't see anyone else coming through for us in that area. We also have Darren Jackson, who has proved himself at this level, but, outside of these three, we cannot seem to find anyone.
''Eoin Jess looked lively and his work-rate was good when he came on - and maybe that is something we could have criticised him for in the past, that he didn't work hard enough.
''Scott Booth and Simon Donnelly were also used against Denmark, but I cannot criticise them because they did not get the ammunition they required.
''However, there is no-one out there and there was no-one who showed us anything in the B international either.
''I had hopes for Dougie Freedman, of Wolves, but he has been drifting out of their team and would not be ready to go into a World Cup. Nor would Alex Mathie, no matter how well he is doing at Ipswich.
''There is not an answer, so if we don't have Gallacher and Durie in France then it is going to be a matter of real concern for us.''
Ironically, in a position that once had Scotland the butt of jokes, goalkeeping, Brown is upbeat. He has the experienced men, Andy Goram and Jim Leighton, and he has back-up from Neil Sullivan and Jonathon Gould.
He also saw signs from the B side that Hearts central defender Paul Ritchie could be ready for promotion. However, he said: ''We are actually very well off in that central defensive area, although it is good to know that we have Paul around.
''As for the goalkeeping position, we know we have Goram and Leighton and we have Sullivan, too, but Gould has been impressive. If he cannot force his way into the squad for France, then he has the European Champion-ships to look towards.'' Defence, and even midfield, are not where Brown sees problems. These only come up front and nothing will happen between now and June to change that for the Scotland manager.
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