Brown can cut it down south

TERRY Butcher is adamant Scotland skipper Scott Brown is good enough to play for a top club in the Premier League.

Former England midfielder Paul Scholes began a debate about the abilities of the 31-year-old Celtic captain ahead of the Three Lions’ visit to Hampden Park in a 2018 World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

He said: “Scott has had a fantastic career with Celtic. But could he have done the same with a big club down in England? I’m not sure he’d have had the same influence.”

However, former England captain Butcher has no doubts Brown, who came out of a short international retirement last year, could hold his own with the best midfielders in the English top flight.

He said: “I think he could. He is an enforcer but also a passer of the ball and, if he is given a specific role, he has the ability, physically and mentally to cope with that and I think he could still do it now.

“If you look at players in his position in the top-four sides, the top-six sides — you are now looking at the top six or seven in England rather than the top four — he could handle it quite comfortably.

“You have Eric Dier of Spurs i n t he ( England) midfield, that is going to be a great battle (on Saturday).

“I don’t know who else is going t o battle against Scott Brown, he will take two players on no problem. He will love it.

“Scott Brown will make sure that every player plays his very best.”

Scotland skipper Scott Brown.