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WHATEVER changes Scotland coach Craig Brown makes for Tuesday's World Cup showdown with Morocco, the nature of Paul Lambert's role in the side is guaranteed to be the same as ever; minder to John Collins and Craig Burley.
The Celtic midfielder will adopt his usual holding position to offer back-up to the more attack-minded Collins and, almost certainly, Burley in St Etienne. Lambert's value to Brown's side is difficult to measure because his contribution is such a quiet one, he wins the ball and knows how to keep it, a complex task made simple.
Yet despite being 29, Lambert will collect only his 15th cap having only made his international debut in May 1995 against Japan. Then at Motherwell, he was by his own admission a very different player. The ability was there but how to apply it was perhaps beyond him.
It took a dramatic switch to Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 1996 for Lambert to fulfil his latent potential as he was finally tutored into best employing his talents. Ottmar Hitzfeld, then coach of the German side, told Lambert to be a more unassuming figure on the field and refined the short passing game that now characterises his game.
The player said: ''At the highest level, having the confidence to hold the ball and being comfortable playing it around is vital - that's how the best teams play. The time in Germany taught me a holding game and the many world-class players I was alongside there changed me altogether.
''They make you more aware of the game, increase your knowledge and how to apply that knowledge. They definitely urge you to use the head a lot more rather than the heart, the up-and-at-them style, you've got to play with the head and hopefully the German experience stands me in good stead.''
His time at Dortmund peaked with the team winning the Champions League, beating Juventus in the final. Prior to his transfer, Lambert suffered from pre-match nerves and the prospect of approaching a Morocco game Scotland must win could well have fazed him back then. Now, however he is relishing the prospect of another display on a major stage and again he is ready to pass the credit for that to advice gained at Dortmund.
He explained: ''The club taught me how to prepare myself properly, how to build up for huge matches with genuine confidence. I take big games in my stride now, for me it is no problem, I just go and play and try to express myself. Knowing exactly my job in the side helps in that respect, I know what it is all about, the hype which goes with big games being involved in the Champions League."
Lambert cites Monaco's Collins as a fellow Scot who has also emerged a better player after being exposed to different coaching methods abroad: ''John's game has also developed, both of us have been fortunate to reap the benefits of playing in France and Germany. We play well together, we have a fine understanding and hopefully that will continue throughout this tournament and beyond.
ELLIOTT OR WEIR? THAT'S THE CHOICE FOR BROWN
Matt Elliott is in line to make a dramatic World Cup debut in Scotland's crucial match against Morocco. Manager Craig Brown has been impressed with the Leicester defender in training and indicated at the weekend that he might win the vote over David Weir of Hearts.
Weir laid on the equaliser for Craig Burley in the 1-1 draw against Norway last week after replacing the injured Colin Calderwood, and it was widely thought that he would retain his place with the Spurs man sidelined. But Brown now appears to be having second thoughts about the Tynecastle star's role.
"I chose David Weir to do a particular job in that match,'' said the Scotland boss. "But I am not ruling out Matt Elliott for the game against Morocco. He has had a very good season for his club and has looked bright in
training."
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ZAGALLO JUST WON'T
LET IT LIE
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BRAZIL coach Mario Zagallo has promised not to release his side for Tuesday's Group A game with Norway until 45 minutes before kick-off. Zagallo was annoyed by Norway coach Egil Olsen's less-than-complimentary comments about Brazil following Norway's 4-2 win in a friendly in Oslo last year.
"Normally I'd give it earlier, but this time I want to give Olsen a sleepless night," he said. Olsen insisted this week that he had not meant to imply he was a better coach than Zagallo, merely that Brazil might get something out of his tactics, but that only spurred on Zagallo further. "I'm worried about all the sore necks we'll get, heading away so many high ball," he said of Norway's preferred route one system.
While Zagallo was continuing his own war of words, Brazil skipper Dunga was trying to play down his on-field row with teammate Bebeto during the 3-0 victory over Morocco when he berated the striker for losing possession; causing the captain to make a 60-yard covering run.
"One must acknowledge one's errors at some time. That error happened as we were leading 1-0 and threw me off guard, said Dunga. I admit I exaggerated; over-reacted perhaps. You know, football is all about detail, especially in a World Cup, and I thought that error could have provided Morocco with a chance to bring them level. You, the journalists, paint a picture of Bebeto as some kind of fragile boy. That's wrong. Although he is shy, he showed in the match against Morocco (he scored the third goal) that he in fact has a strong personality."
Bebeto responded by saying: Let's forget the incident. We made up immediately. Those things happen when you live in a group. It clearly shows our spirit, the will to win and play well. The important thing is that Brazil has qualified for the next round.
What happened between Dunga and myself is in the past. We are both winners. I want to win and so does he. Things like that are bound to happen at times like these, when you are under fire. We have already played together a lot, I know what he is like. Right after the match he came to embrace me and everything was forgotten.
Brazil legend Zico, Zagallo's John Gorman with influence, is full of praise for his country's forceful skipper. "Dunga has the attitude of a great man," he said. "He is the head of a big team because he has such an exceptional view of what's happening on the pitch. It was his desire to win that pushed him to get upset with Bebeto during that last match, but he doesn't hold a grudge against him or anyone else for that matter. I think everything was ironed out right on the pitch. At half time, everything had returned too normal.
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