The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)

Celtic boss keen to find solution to Brown’s Scotland dilemma

Celtic: Manager gives backing for skipper to turn out against the Auld Enemy

- Ross alexander

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has given his backing to the prospect of Scott Brown playing for Scotland against England.

Hoops skipper Brown came out of internatio­nal retirement to play in World Cup games against England and Slovenia, with victory in the latter keeping qualificat­ion hopes alive and easing the pressure on manager Gordon Strachan.

Immediatel­y after Sunday’s game, the 31-year-old was non-committal over the prospect of facing England at Hampden Park on June 10, mindful that Celtic’s Champions League campaign will kick off on July 11 or 12 and respectful of the need to discuss the situation with his club boss.

But Rodgers has vowed to find a way of making sure Brown gets the rest he needs around the Auld Enemy clash.

Asked if he would rather Brown did not play in that game, Rodgers told Sky Sports News HQ: “No, because I think there’s a genuine love for playing for Scotland for him.

“He obviously retired but his loyalty to Gordon and what Gordon has done for him over the years, bringing him here and the relationsh­ip that he has, it’s totally natural – when he saw Gordon maybe not having a good time earlier on in the campaign – why he wanted to support him.

“It also typifies the guy he is. He has real old-school values and he wanted to help someone that he really respects.

“So if he wants to play in the game, absolutely fine. We’ll find a solution for that.

“I think he’s a really important player for the spirit of the (Scotland) squad. I obviously have to look at Celtic as well but we will find a solution that will do both, I’m sure.”

Scotland started with six Celtic players against Slovenia and Rodgers admits their internatio­nal schedule will present a challenge.

“I need to manage it,” said Rodgers, whose team could be crowned champions before or after Sunday’s trip to face Hearts.

“I want to help the players. Their careers are short, so I want them to play for as long as they possibly can.

“Of course we have qualifiers that kick in very early for the Champions League and that’s critical for us. So its a case of managing the time, the rest, the recovery.

“Successful players don’t get a lot of rest. If you are playing right through to the end of the season, you have internatio­nal games and the difference up here is that you are into qualificat­ion games a lot sooner.

“But that’s the job of myself and my staff, to look at each individual’s programme and look to give them the recovery where we can.”

And if Brown decides to continue his Scotland comeback he will be clear to face England.

The Celtic skipper looks to have escaped an internatio­nal ban after Fifa revealed they have not opened disciplina­ry procedures against the midfielder.

Brown was involved in two flashpoint­s towards the end of Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Slovenia that kept the nation’s World Cup dreams alive.

There were fears the 31-year-old could be dealt with by Fifa retrospect­ively after being accused by the Slovenians of a stamp on Jasmin Kurtic.

Brown had only moments earlier been the victim himself of an off-the-ball incident, when Josip Ilicic appeared to deliberate­ly knee the Scotland captain in the leg.

A Fifa spokespers­on said: “No disciplina­ry proceeding­s are being conducted with respect to the Scotland v Slovenia match.”

So if he wants to play in the game, absolutely fine. We’ll find a solution for that. BRENDAN RODGERS

 ?? Picture: SNS Group. ?? Scott Brown: his club manager says he has a “genuine love for playing for Scotland”.
Picture: SNS Group. Scott Brown: his club manager says he has a “genuine love for playing for Scotland”.
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