Sky Blues skipper Gary McAllister has called on the Scottish FA to give manager Craig Brown an extended contract.

There were calls for Brown to resign after Scotland’s home defeat in the first leg of the Euro 2000 qualifier play-offs but McAllister feels the manager answered his critics with the 1-0 win at Wembley.

McAllister, who was hounded out of international football after being subjected to a hate campaign by a section of supporters, said:

"I don’t think it is an issue at all. We have missed out on qualifying but only just and I think Craig should be allowed to continue right through to the World Cup.

"Craig has consistently picked the best 22 players available to him and tactically we out-thought England at Wembley.

"The side and the management took quite a hammering after Saturday and it was a real achievement to recover from that in the way they did. I think Craig has a problem in that he is familiar to everyone and they have got used to him saying the same things, but he has a superb record and should be allowed to carry on."

Meanwhile City manager Gordon Strachan is considering penning a letter to the FA after getting carried away during Scotland's 1-0 Wembley triumph.

Strachan, who won 50 caps for his country, was given tickets in the English FA enclosure during the game - but did not let it dampen his support.

"It is the first time I have been a fan for a long, long time and I am glad the cameras weren't on me at Wembley.

"I don't think my etiquette was all that great. I didn't swear or anything like that but I did get pretty excited. At least I can send a letter of apology!"