BROWN EPL CLASS JUST LIKE KANTE
FORMER Scotland defender Dominic Matteo insists that Scott Brown could have it in the Premier League.
Ex-Liverpool and Leeds stopper Matteo is surprised an English top-flight club never took a punt on the influential Celtic captain.
And Matteo – capped six times – reckons natural born leader Brown could have emulated the success of N’Golo Kante who won back-to-back titles with Leicester and Chelsea.
He said: “Brown is a leader and he has done brilliantly. He goes under the radar a little bit in England as he does not get talked about much.
“He is top pro and really influences the Celtic and Scotland squads.
“Brown could have made it in the Premier League. He would have been a huge loss to Celtic if he decided to do that in his career.
“His work rate is second to none and he is a winner as you can see it written all over his face. I love those qualities in a player.
“There was a lot of pressure on him going into the England match at Hampden but he proved he could cut it in that company.
“He deserves more credit. I am surprised nobody in the EPL took a punt on him.
“The position he plays is massive in British football – it wins titles. That sitting, defensive midfielder who can break things up and give it and go.
“Brown not only does a professional job but he is also a good passer. He can play an intelligent pass and keep the ball.
“You only need to look at Kante who did it at Leicester then Chelsea and he has won two Premier Leagues.
“I am not saying Brown is Kante but the position is vital in football now.”
Matteo is delighted Scotland boss Gordon Strachan helped convince Brown to come out of retirement to help their bid for Russia 2018.
Speaking at the Riverside Museum as he helped make the draw for the Irn-Bru Cup third round, Matteo said: “Brown is probably the player that Strachan talks to most. It is good to have that connection.
“Scotland have been starved of something like this for so long. It is nice to be competing for a finals.”