Gallacher, acting captain on the occasion of his 50th cap, was unhappy about being taken off shortly before goals by Matt Elliott and Don Hutchison ended the Scots' struggle for a win.

He appeared to express his displeasure to the bench, after turning to a section of the crowd and offering them thanks for their support, and discussed his situation later with Craig Brown.

Yet, while there is the possibility he could decide to quit international football, the 33-year- old wouldn't comment on any matters relating to the San Marino match as the Scots - for whom Christian Dailly suffered a suspected broken nose - moved onto Zagreb for Wednesday's one with Croatia.

'I'd expect Kevin to be disappointed at coming off,' said Brown, who replaced him with the previously uncapped Paul Dickov, 'although you don't know if he was upset with the decision or upset with himself.'

The manager duly agreed that he and the Newcastle United forward had discussed the situation once they got back to their hotel after the 2 -0 win, adding: 'I said to Kevin I felt things hadn' t happened as they might for him.

'But it wasn't a case of there being any bitter-ness or aggro. Kevin knows my high regard for him. If he doesn't, all he needs to do is ask his club manager, Bobby Robson, about it.'

Brown, asked more specifically about whether there was a problem between him and Gallacher, went on: 'No, not as far as I'm aware.

'He's with us and will be in contention for Wednesday. He doesn't like to be taken off. Nobody does.' Brown appeared more concerned by the injuries sustained in the San Marino game by Neil McCann and Dailly, the former appearing to have no chance of playing in midweek and likely to return to his club, Rangers, today.

McCann had to be replaced by club-mate Allan Johnston at half-time, having taken a bad knock on his ankle in the early minutes of the match, and is limping heavily as a result.

Dailly was led off shortly before the interval with his suspected broken nose and a nasty gash on his forehead which required three stitches after a clash with an opponent. Scotland's medical staff at first thought it unlikely he would be fit to appear against the Croatians yet, having had a further look at

him on arrival in Zagreb, they refused to rule him out.

Further encouraging news came with manager Brown's revelation that Craig Burley would fly in this afternoon, having opted out of the San Marino game in order to have therapy for a back ailment.

But the Derby County player will not be joined by Leeds' so-far uncapped Dominic Matteo who, still receiving treatment for an ankle injury, said: 'I'm really gutted about this because I was so keen to join up with Scotland.'