England game is one too many for Brown, hints boss
BRENDAN RODGERS last night confirmed captain Scott Brown has his blessing to join up with Scotland for next month’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Slovenia. But the Celtic manager also gave a strong hint that he would not look quite so favourably on his skipper facing England at Hampden in June. Brown came out of international retirement to play for Gordon Strachan in Scotland’s 3-0 defeat at Wembley last November. And last week, the 31-year-old revealed that he is available for selection for the must-win game against Slovenia on March 26. However, Brown harboured concern that the England game, which comes just two weeks after the Scottish Cup final and around ten days before pre-season starts, would hinder his fitness for next season. It seemed clear yesterday that Rodgers shares those concerns — a situation which is surely certain to rule Brown out of the clash with the Auld Enemy. ‘We’ve had a number of conversations about it and I think Scott is clear in his mind what he wants to do,’ said Rodgers. ‘His loyalty and support is with Gordon Strachan and he wants to help him the best he possibly can. ‘He has been in brilliant form the whole season. He’s a real top performer and has been since the first day I came in here. ‘He looks after his body, he looks after himself. ‘And, if selected, as I’m sure he will be, Scotland will be better for having him in there. What are my views on Scott playing against England in June? ‘Scott knows my view on that and in terms of the longer term for him.’ Rodgers plans to use Brown’s increased workload to hand game time to Eboue Kouassi. The Ivory Coast teenager signed for £2.8million in January from Russian side Krasnodar, but is yet to make his first-team debut after suffering a mild bout of malaria. ‘Will Scott playing against Slovenia affect Celtic? No, hence the reason we brought in Eboue,’ said Rodgers. ‘He’s of Scotty’s ilk, he’s that type.’