Jacob’s going crackers for starting spot at Hampden
IF you tally up the minutes Jacob Brown has played for Scotland you’ll get just over 90. But that’s been over SEVEN games. Despite being valued and rated by gaffer Steve Clarke, the 25-year-old has been a bit-part player for his adopted country.
But after getting a move to Premier League new boys Luton in the summer, Brown wants that to change.
With the Euro 2024 Finals in Germany looming he’s determined to nail down a place in Clarke’s 23-man squad and become an integral part of the Scotland team.
Playing against some of the best players in England’s top flight is bound to help his case.
In the recent friendly defeat to France in Lille he impressed off the bench.
With Che Adams ruled out of tonight’s final qualifier against Norway, Brown is competing for a start up front with Lyndon Dykes and Lawrence Shankland.
He said: “My first cap was two years ago this week and I’ve been in the camp ever since.
“I’m on seven now and with every cap I’m getting more experience. I thought I did well when I came on against France – I had a couple of chances.
“I’m just trying to train well and get an opportunity to show what I can do. Hopefully the chances will keep coming.
“Obviously, every player wants to start, but there is a lot of quality here so everybody can’t play.”
Just five years ago Brown was playing in League Two on loan at Chesterfield.
His form at Stoke earned him his international call-up as well as a £3million switch to Luton.
And he’s convinced that his game will only improve by facing some of the best players in the world on a regular basis.
Brown said: “It’s been a new experience for me playing in the Premier League for the first time. I’m just trying to learn every week.
“You don’t get much time on the ball and you have to know what you want to do several steps in advance.
“If you don’t take the chances you create you’re going to get punished. It’s a ruthless league.
“Playing against better opponents every week is only going to help me for Scotland.
“Every experience I get in this league I can take it into playing for Scotland.”