GLASGOW (AFP) - Scotland assistant manager Tommy Burns hit back at criticism of national boss Berti Vogts in the wake of calls for his sacking after a disastrous start to their World Cup qualifying campaign.
The German has been under fire after Scotland have picked up just one point from home games with Slovenia and Norway, with former Scottish internationals Gordon McQueen, Charlie Nicholas and Craig Burley calling for his head.
But Burns defended Vogts ahead of Wednesday's must-win game in Moldova.
"It's easy to take money and criticise. So easy. And that's the big disappointment for me now," Burns said Monday.
"There are so many people taking money to slaughter players and managers and some of them should know better.
"That's the business we're in. It's a very emotional business. But I'm emotional also.
"But we cannot say what we feel about some of the things we have to read and hear from people who should know better.
"We have to suffer in silence and try to show a bit of dignity."
Scotland have brought in Lee McCulloch of Wigan and Aberdeen's Scott Severin to bolster a squad lacking the suspended James McFadden and Paul Dickov.
Former Motherwell striker McCulloch, who has been converted to a midfielder at Wigan, has played at Under-21 and B team level but has yet to be given a chance at senior level.
Skipper Barry Ferguson remains a doubt for the fixture having aggravated a hamstring problem during the 0-1 loss to the Norwegians.
Defender Russell Anderson also travels but is also rated as 50-50 because of an ankle injury.
Goalkeeper Craig Gordon has been told he will definitely keep his place ahead of Celtic teenager David Marshall despite making an error that led to the McFadden sending off.
Vogts will learn later Monday whether his half-time banishment to the stands on Saturday will mean he is banned from the touchline on Wednesday.