David Moyes: 'Weir has been fantastic' (RossKinnaird/Allsport)

Scotsman Moyes is clearly not happy with Vogts' comments that the experienced Weir was partly responsible for the shock away draw with the footballing minnows.

Vogts said: `The older players like Christian Dailly and David Weir who play in England, have already disappointed me. They were to blame for the first two goals, it wasn't the youngsters.''

But an annoyed Moyes replied: `I will be writing to the SFA to make my views clear. I prefer to do my business in private and not in the media.'

Moyes has already felt the need once this week to defend Weir when Vogts talked about `mistakes by his older players.' Now, in the build-up to the Premiership showdown at home to Middlesbrough, he has again reacted to comments from the new Scotland chief about the 31 year-old who has twice won Everton's player of the year award in recent seasons.

Moyes said: `David is a fantastic pro, and he has done brilliantly for me. People who have seen him play for Everton know he has been fantastic.

`He has been great for us and maybe you should look at the circumstances of what happened to Scotland before you make any comments about him.'

Everton feel that one of the senior and most respected players - Weir is also the club's PFA representative - has been made a scapegoat for Scotland's dreadful recent run.

But Moyes diplomatically said: `All of our players are delighted to play for their country.'

SFA chief executive David Taylor has not been able to speak to Vogts about the alleged criticism of the players.

Taylor said: `I haven't spoken to Berti as we have had so much going on today with the First Minister being here for Euro 2008.

`We have also had detailed discussions about 2008.

`I have read the press comments myself and Andy Mitchell (SFA press officer) has been dealing with that so I can't offer any comment.'

Vogts left messages with both Dailly and Weir on Thursday but it is still not clear whether either player has responded.

SFA spokesman Mitchell said: `If he (Moyes) speaks to Berti Vogts, I'm sure Berti will tell him his side of the story.

`But any conversation like that would obviously have to remain private.'

Moyes also played down any suggestions that another Scottish star, Duncan Ferguson, was facing the end of his career over his long-standing back injury.