AS players were disappearing off his list quicker than volunteers for the Weakest Link, Craig Brown, the Scotland manager, was doing his best to convince all and sundry that the friendly with Poland tomorrow was not devalued. He need not have bothered because behind him, en route to the plane yesterday, was a player who was walking proof that one man's devaluation is another man's salutation.

Andy McLaren, whose admirable battle to beat alcoholism has manifested itself in his rehabilitation with Kilmarnock this season, was lyrical, emotional, and downright thrilled to be one of those called up to replace the injured brigade - six of whom were added over the weekend.

The 27-year-old, who has known the depths of despair familiar to alcoholics, happened to be in the company of an AA colleague and counsellor at the time when the call came to inform him that he had to join the squad.

''Just call Jim,'' said McLaren. ''The look on his face was something special. It was great to share the moment with him but he has been the biggest help to me. I could see it meant as much to him as it did

to me.''

The first call he received was from Kilmarnock manager Bobby Williamson but he thought it was a wind-up before Craig Brown himself called. ''It was a great feeling but that was at 10 o'clock last night and it's been hectic since.

''I had to rush to Rugby Park this morning to get my boots but I was so early it was closed. A couple of ground staff lads helped me get in and I made it here with minutes to spare.''

He received another call, from team-mate Gus MacPherson, who berated him for being unable to play in his testimonial golf day at Kirkintilloch.

McLaren had been aware of talk of his Scotland place earlier in the season but nothing came of it. ''This time it was out of the blue,'' he said, ''I phoned my mum right away and that was quite emotional. It is like that for my whole family because they have been through it all with me. They have known the hard times.

''This time last year I wasn't long out of the clinic. To get back to any level would have been an achievement but this is dream stuff. It is still hard to take in but a lot of good people have helped me along the way.

''My older son Dillan, who is 10, knows what it has all been about and he was filling up, too. If I do win my first cap I'll give it to him.''

If McLaren's delight knocked some of the cynicism out of our souls, he was ably backed up by Steve Crawford, whose last and only cap was in 1995 when he scored in the 1-1 draw with Ecuador.

The Dunfermline striker has been brought in after the withdrawal of Paul Dickov of Man-chester City. ''At least I have a 100 per cent record,'' he said, ''But I hope it's not so long until the next one. It has come as a nice surprise. I had never given up getting a Scotland call again but I'd be a liar if I said that I had feared ending up as a one- cap wonder.''

He recalled how well things were going for him at the time of that first recognition. His career with Raith Rovers was on the crest and he reckoned his first cap would be the starter for plenty.

''I'm older and wiser now and I realise I should have appreciated it more at the time. I remember when Craig Brown shouted over to me on the bench to get ready to come on and Nicky Walker said, 'This is your chance to become a legend Stevie.' It hasn't quite worked out that way.''

Crawford's Dunfermline team-mate, Barry Nicholson is another called in to the squad, while Kenny Miller is promoted from the under-21 pool.

Brown had to move quickly after his senior squad was severely depleted when Celtic's Paul Lambert and Jackie McNamara were ruled out because of injury, following Don Hutchinson of Sunderland, Barry Ferguson, and Allan Johnson of Rangers as well as Dickov, all because of various leg problems.

Steven Pressley of Hearts is very doubtful after he suffered a knock in Hearts' 1-0 defeat at Parkhead. ''We will see how he is after treatment,'' Brown said, ''If he is not able to take part we will call up Stephen Caldwell of Newcastle United from the under-21s. That would give us 18 players.''

Typically, Brown refused to let the withdrawals dampen his spirit, although he did confess that the players left out for this game represented the worst list of absentees in his 15 years as manager.

''The worst so far has been five withdrawals but overall there's double that this time.''

Even so, Brown, who is renowned for his ability to see a half empty glass bulging with liquid, declared himself upbeat. ''In the past we have discovered players who have gone on to make impressive international careers in these circumstances. In fact, we have really never been let down when we have called in new people. Obviously it is better to use them alongside established players but we don't have that option this time.

''We have to build a new team in the minimum of time.''

Andy McLaren has had to tackle rather bigger problems.