Middlesbrough defender Pogatetz has been out of the frame after incurring a two-match suspension during a World Cup qualifier which, with Austria co-hosts of Euro 2008, means he will miss the opening games of next year's tournament.

He will again be absent against Scotland on Wednesday but is hoping UEFA will consider his a special case and drop his suspension. He cannot serve the ban during qualifying games, as Austria have none to play as automatic entrants for the finals.

The Boro player is currently of little use to his country as he will miss two of Austria's three European Championship group games, which they are building specifically towards.

However Ivanschitz believes Pogatetz's criticism of his captaincy and of coach Josef Hickersberger's ability to lead the side should mean the 24-year-old stays sidelined.

The Austrians are ranked 77th in the world and with their star players at loggerheads, even a depleted Scotland side should have every chance of victory in Vienna on Wednesday night.

Even though Pogatetz's criticism of both captain and coach came last September, it remains a sensitive issue in Austria.

Ivanschitz, 23, said: "We resolved the problem at the time. From the team, nobody said they wanted to play with him again.

"Pogatetz can't insult the team and then expect to be welcomed with open arms. That certainly can't be done.

"To end the debate, we drew a line under the episode and haven't spoken about it, until today. But the decision is exclusively that of coach Hickersberger. Full stop. End."

Hickersberger's side face the Scots on Wednesday and then Paraguay on Saturday, and the coach is hopeful of seeing a turnaround in Austria's fortunes.

"I assume that against both teams we will have chances and that we can win with maximum effort," said Hickersberger.

"The Scots have a team who are 14th in the world rankings, which doesn't mean that this is the best Scottish team of all time.

"However they have a very good team with outstanding team spirit."

The Austrians have had three matches in 2007 and have yet to record a win, after following up 1-1 draws against Malta and Ghana with a 1-0 defeat to France in Paris.

Despite losing, the Austrians were encouraged by their performance, particularly in the first half, against World Cup runners-up France.

They are determined to demonstrate the product of their hard work when they line up to tackle Alex McLeish's Scots.

Ivanschitz told the Osterreich newspaper: "I don't only hope so, I expect it.

"We need match practice with our young team, and we need to see each other as often as possible. Even if it's not really ideal time-wise, these two matches will bind us more closely together again."