SCOTTISH FA chief executive David Taylor has issued a stark warning to the critics who are calling for the demise of Berti Vogts.

The German's spell as national team manager is expected to be brought to an ignominious close next week.

And ex-Saints boss Gordon Strachan is the Tartan Army's choice to replace the German.

The 1-1 draw in Moldova on Wednesday, against a team ranked 113th in the world, was the final straw for the fans who called for him to be removed from the post forthwith.

Vogts stubbornly refused to resign despite the fact that seven points have already been dropped in just three World Cup qualifying games

But speculation over the future of the boss is building with unconfirmed reports suggesting the German has already tendered his resignation.

An SFA board meeting is scheduled for November 4 but an emergency gathering of the 11 members is expected to be convened to settle Vogts' fate within days.

But Taylor insists that simply removing the German from the equation would not be a total solution to the problem as a mediocre pool of players would still be there.

He said: "The position is quite clear - change for change's sake is never a great policy.

"The resources we have at our disposal are relatively limited. It is a difficult job being Scotland manager at this moment."

The 2,000 fans who shouted for Vogts' resignation already have a preferred successor in Strachan, who was capped 50 times between 1980 and 1992 and who would bring the sort of enthusiasm and man-management techniques to the job that Vogts has lacked.

Strachan has been out of a job since resigning as Saints boss last February in order to take a sabbatical.

But he has already indicated he would find the post impossible to turn down. He is the 6/4 favourite with Ladbrokes.

Former Scotland captain John Collins believes Strachan MUST be appointed.

Collins said: "He has worked for two clubs in his managerial career with inferior squads to the opposition but he has managed to get those so-called weaker squads to over-perform and that is what is needed with the Scotland squad now.

"He took Southampton to their highest-ever finish and to the FA Cup final.

"He can rejuvenate players and get them playing for each other, organised and motivated."