'I wouldn't have done what Scot did, travel the world to sit on his bum for much of the time,' Gemmill Snr said. 'I think he was treated abysmally.'

Scot Gemmill made only 19 appearances under Brown, many of them fleetingly as a substitute, after being elevated to the squad in 1995 for the Kirin Cup in Japan.

But the Everton midfielder has turned out in both Scotland's games, against France and Nigeria, since Berti Vogts took over the Scotland reins from Brown last month.

'I don't know how long it will last for Scot under Mr Vogts' leadership,' Gemmill added, 'although what happened to him with Craig Brown was a disgrace.

'No professional should be treated the way he was. If you've got no intention of playing somebody, why get him to pack his kit? I don't see the point in it.

'There were numerous games Scot could have played in, and didn't. I might be a bit biased because I'm his dad but it wouldn't have happened with me. I wouldn't have followed the manager all over the place. I'd have told him where to go.

Gemmill, whose famous goal against Holland in 1978 was cited this week as a contender for top honours in FIFA's quest to find the best-ever World Cup strike, had Brown in his sights during a visit to Scotland to raise awareness of the dangers of cholesterol on behalf of the Heart Association.

But he was full of sympathy for the new Scotland coach.

He said: 'It's been a very, very difficult start for Vogts. I think almost anybody would have lost to France, who must be one of the favourites for the World Cup. But I think it's nice he's taken on so many young players, to see what they can do.

'I doubt if they'll have success in the near future although, if they can stick together, and play together, they can have a reasonably good team again in two years' time.'

Gemmill, careful not to criticise Vogts, suggested that starting with Paul Lambert in the midfield holding role might have paid off for Scotland against Nigeria last week.