Broonybackin blue for crucial WorldCupgame
CELTIC skipper Scott Brown has confirmed he will be available for Scotland’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Slovenia next month.
Scotland manager Gordon Strachan had hinted that Brown would be back at Hampden for the game but the Celtic captain yesterday confirmed that he will play for his country.
“We’ll see if I get the call but I am available,” said Brown. “Gordon and myself speak regularly and he knows I’m available but it’s up to him to
pick me. That will be for the next game and then we’ll take it from there.”
It is unlikely that Brown will be available to Strachan for the visit of England to Hampden on June 10th.
Celtic return to pre-season training less than a fortnight after the game in order to prepare for UEFA Champions League qualifying matches which will underpin the tone of the Parkhead side’s season.
Brown’s return for the Slovenia game is dependent on the fact he wishes to keep club commitments at the forefront of his preparations this summer. The 31-year-old had tendonitis last year which sidelined him for three months under previous Celtic manager Ronny Deila.
It is understood the player, as well as Brendan Rodgers, believes he requires sufficient rest between back-to-back campaigns in which Celtic will play around 120 games.
“The England game is the big problem for me. I’ve spoken before about the importance of the game and what it means but at the moment all I’m thinking about is getting three points for Scotland against Slovenia and then go from there.
“Everyone wants to take it one game at a time. It would be a huge three points if we could beat Slovenia, it would keep us right in the group.
“We’ve had some disappointing results. But it could just take that one big result to get us back in the fight for the group. The thing I’ve got going for me is Gordon. Everyone knows who close we are.
“The game by game thing is huge for me. It’s not like I’m saying I’ll play this one game and then go back in to retirement.”
Wary of being labelled as the player who picks and chooses his games, Brown is nevertheless mindful of balancing international involvement with club commitments.