THEY'LL MAKE A MILLION EACH

SCOTLAND'S World Cup stars are set to rake in a cool pounds 1 million from their player pool - yet coach Craig Brown insists they don't give a damn about the money.

Between match bonuses and commercial deals the Scots collected some pounds 600,000 from their Euro '96 campaign. That was split equally among the 28 players.

And that figure looks set to almost double at France '98.

Says Brown: "I must emphasise that in the 12 years I've been involved I've never heard a single player say 'How much?'

"And that has been down to the example of Gary McAllister way back before he got his big contract at Coventry.

"And when the players and Rod Stewart recorded 'Purple Heather' the entire pounds 90,000 royalties went to the Dunblane appeal."

Brown admits that he and his squad have taken the all-equal attitude because of Jackie Charlton and his Ireland squad.

Added Craig: "Ireland star Kevin Moran is a partner of our representative Paul Stretford and he insisted from the word go that it should be share and share alike.

"It worked for Ireland at USA'94 where they had a unique 'togetherness' and he insisted we do the same.The SFA come in for a lot of flak but they do look after the players and the fans.

"The bonus for qualifying is a good one. And despite the fact that expenditure on air charters and accommodation is sizeable and player insurance is horrendous, they keep prices for matches at a reasonable level.

"I watched Ireland in their crunch game against Belgium at Lansdowne Road.

"The price for my section was pounds 37 and over the fence it was pounds 27 - and no one was complaining."

More immediate concern for Brown is: Just who will turn up for the midweek warm-up match against Finland at Easter Road on Wednesday.

Edinburgh will also be the focal point for the Ally McCoist led B game against Norway at Tynecastle the previous evening.

Brown will be paying particular attention to striker Scott Booth - on loan from Borussia Dortmund at Utrecht. Says Brown: "He's scored five goals with Utrecht and I'm in regular touch with his coach plus other contacts including Van Lingen, who will be Dick Advocaat's assistant at Ibrox.

"I could have swapped him with Ally McCoist coming in from the 'B' squad but I have more to learn about Booth.

"I do know though that, like Kevin Gallacher, he can get behind defences and we'll need players like that in France.

"Generally I think we have a stronger squad than in Euro '96.

"Younger ones like Dailly, Lambert, Burley and McNamara are now making an impact.

"With 19 goals in the English Premiership, Kevin Gallacher is the form striker but if Ally keeps up his recent form then he must be in the frame.

"Of course we will miss the influence of McAllister. I saw David Hopkin as an ideal replacement but the problem is George Graham has been keeping him on the bench at Leeds and from there he's got a big job getting to France."

McAllister however will have a role to play in France assuming both the player and Coventry agree it is to his benefit.

Brown plans to take Macca and five youngsters as part of the behind-the- scenes squad with McAllister working with video expert Brian Hendry to analyse the opposition.

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