Cap call is for Brown, says Deila
RONNY DEILA will make no attempt to influence Scott Brown’s Scotland future — despite admitting his captain’s international retirement would be a good thing for Celtic. Brown could miss tomorrow’s lunchtime Premiership game with Motherwell after twisting an ankle in training and is now a doubt for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Molde. Facing incessant demands on his body at domestic and international level, the 30-year-old is one of a number of current Scotland players pondering whether to continue in international football following the failure to qualify for Euro 2016. Although conceding there are obvious benefits to Celtic if Brown scales down his commitments, Deila has promised to say nothing
which might damage the national team’s prospects in a World Cup qualifying campaign ‘This is a decision Scott has to make. Again, I will support him in whatever he wants to do. For me, he has shown, and his body has shown, that he is capable of playing a lot of games ‘But when players get older it’s a very, very tough club to be in because of the amount of games. So that is something he has to feel, what his body can handle and also about the motivation.’ Asked if he had discussed the matter with the Celtic and Scotland skipper, Deila added: ‘I haven’t talked to him about it. I wouldn’t pressurise him on anything. He is an adult and he has to find out what he wants himself. I will be one he can talk to about it. We will see what happens. ‘If I could choose, I wish everyone could stop playing for their national teams! But, again, we also have a responsibility for the national teams and we should also be very lucky that we have a lot of national team players. ‘It is always a challenge when they go away and we don’t have so many players here. Then we get them back in different physical conditions.’ Celtic will reach a decision today on whether Brown is fit enough to play at Fir Park. ‘He twisted an ankle today in a passing exercise,’ said Deila. ‘He has done that many times. We don’t know before tomorrow if he is out for Saturday or not, but it is not a major thing.’ Striker Leigh Griffiths pulled out of the Scotland squad last Sunday but is fit again. Stefan Johansen is also available after a back injury. English free agent Carlton Cole is back in Glasgow to allow Celtic to carry out further tests on his fitness before deciding whether to offer him a contract. ‘He’s still injured so we haven’t done anything more at the moment,’ said Deila. ‘He was running a bit and we’ll see how he does next week. ‘He has the qualities we are looking for, he’s a targetman, a big guy and a person who brings energy in the dressing room.’ Manchester United’s James Wilson is another possibility for a January loan bid. ‘There are a lot of options in January,’ said Deila. ‘There are a lot of names going around but we are looking at strikers in January again.’