A PERENNIAL favourite, Ally McCoist, was left out and an emerging

talent, English-born Duncan Jupp, brought in to the Scottish

international set-up yesterday when Craig Brown listed the names for

Scotland's trip to Austria next week.

The game, Scotland's last preparatory workout before the serious stuff

of the European Championship begins early next season, should be an

opportunity for a few young players to make impressions.

McCoist has been left out because the manager, Craig Brown, believes

enough demands have already been placed on the Rangers' striker since

his return from a broken leg, sustained playing for Scotland in Portugal

a year ago, and that it would be wrong to ''inflict on him another

international match at this stage.''

There is no question, however, that McCoist will be left out if he is

the striker in form next September when the international manager

selects a squad for the first European Champioship qualifying match

against Finland in Helsinki.

Brown still looks upon McCoist as a first-choice striker, but simply

feels no purpose can be served by taking him to Vienna, where he feels

it might be the appropriate place to see what Bolton Wanderers' John

McGinlay can do at international level.

It can be argued that Brown ought to have included Aberdeen's Duncan

Shearer, but he has already been tested and the manager knows he is the

type of player who can be pressed into action at short notice.

It makes sense to try as many front players as possible because

Scotland's goal-scoring record is not good. If McGinlay, who will be

capped at some stage in the match against Austria, finds the net, he

would enhance his prospects of being invited back.

Eoin Jess, who is not enjoying a particularly productive season with

Aberdeen, will be given the opportunity to express himself and perhaps

prove what Brown suspects: that a change of environment, jersey, and

pace might bring out his best. ''Jess is a footballer and I'm sure he

will be able to overcome any difficulties he might have been

experiencing lately.

''He has looked good on other occasions for us, but we would have to

worry about him if he couldn't do it in a Scotland jersey,'' said the

manager.

Brown's intention for next week is to play Jess, Phil O'Donnell, and

Billy McKinlay in an attempt to give the side a more youthful appearance

which is certainly not before time. However, the fact that two of those

players, O'Donnell and McKinlay, operate in the midfield suggests the

manager will not be able to accommodate all of the established midfield

players named in in his 19-man squad.

Gary McAllister, the captain, will play because his presence will be

essential if there are younger players about, but Paul McStay, John

Collins, Stuart McCall, and Ian Ferguson can't all start. Ferguson is

certain to play at some stage, but at least two of the three others from

the Old Firm could find themselves idle.

Brown will not even begin to tackle that problem until after

Saturday's matches when he will probably find himself short of a few

players if past history can be relied upon. Natural wastage, as he calls

it, has already left him without four players -- Craig Levein, Andy

Goram, Scott Booth, and McCoist -- and he is bound to suffer further

withdrawals because of injuries.

''A lot must depend on what happens to players during Saturday's

matches, and we have to remember players from Rangers, Aberdeen, and

Dundee United, also will be involved in cup replays,'' Brown said.

''However, I believe I am covered in every area and while the result

will be important because I always set out looking to win matches, I

feel also that the performance this time also has to be good. The

priority is to get things looking right on the pitch.''

Brown confirmed that he will be leaning towards a three-man defensive

line, but will adapt occasionally depending on the style adopted by the

opposition. He tried three at the back against Holland last month, and

it didn't work too well, but the success of any system depends surely on

people's ability to play it.

He could use any system if he had the necessary players, but the fact

is he is short of the sort of professionals who can adapt easily, and

until players of genuine quality come along, he will have to make do and

play to whatever strengths are available. That will mean playing systems

which suit the players rather than asking them to perform functions

beyond their capabilities.

The manager has decided to call in a 20-year-old Fulham full back,

Jupp, who is also being watched by England. Brown has been urged by

contacts in the south to cap the player, whose mother is from Edinburgh,

as a precaution because Jupp is showing signs that he could be a future

asset. ''He is 6ft 2in and has been playing well in Fulham's first team

this season,'' Brown said.

Celtic's Simon Donnelly, Hugh Robertson, of Hearts, and St Johnstone's

Phil Scott are also newcomers to the under-21s, who will play the

Austrians on Tuesday, the night before the senior match in the Ernst

Happel Stadium.

SCOTLAND: Goalkeepers -- Gunn (Norwich City), Leighton (Hibernian).

Defenders -- Boyd (Celtic), Robertson (Rangers), McLaren (Hearts),

McKimmie, Irvine (both Aberdeen), Hendry (Blackburn Rovers).

Midfield -- McStay, Collins (both Celtic), McKinlay (Dundee United),

McCall, I Ferguson (both Rangers), McAllister (Leeds United), O'Donnell

(Motherwell).

Forwards -- Nevin (Tranmere Rovers), McGinlay (Bolton Wand.), Jess

(Aberdeen), Durie (Rangers).

Under-21 squad -- Kerr (Celtic), Stillie (Aberdeen), Robertson

(Aberdeen), Pressley (Rangers), McNamara (Dunfermline), Locke (Hearts),

Jupp (Fulham), Baker (St Mirren), Dair (Raith), Fullarton (St Mirren),

Hannah (Dundee United), Hood (Ayr United), Lavety (St Mirren), Lavin

(Watford), McCann (Dundee), Crawford (Raith Rovers), Dailly (Dundee

United), Donnelly (Celtic), A Johnston (Hearts), Scott (St Johnstone).