JAGS HAVE HIT JACKPOT AGAIN
GRAEME McGARRY ON WHY COLIN WEIR TAKEOVER SPELLS BRIGHT FUTURE FOR PARTICK THISTLE – PAGE 37 Celtic captain admits he could be tempted to make second Scotland comeback if Clarke’s side qualify
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YESTERDAY SOLUTIONS
SCOTT BROWN last night refused to rule out making a second Scotland comeback at the age of 34 if the national team qualify for the Euro 2020 finals next summer.
The Celtic captain called time on his international career in February last year after Gordon Strachan was replaced as manager by Alex McLeish.
The midfielder, who won 55 caps between 2005 and 2017, has been pleased to see Steve Clarke’s side win their last three qualifiers and is now hoping they can negotiate the play-offs in March.
Brown, who retired from international football in August 2016 only to reverse his decision two months later, admitted not playing in a major tournament was a major regret in his career.
And he indicated he could be tempted to return again if Scotland make it through to Euro 2020.
“Football’s a funny game and you never know,” he said. “I’m in a good place fitness-wise and in terms of my body and I make sure I keep myself ticking over.
“The international breaks have been incredible for me – they’ve allowed me to go away and relax, play golf and recharge my batteries.
“I retired from international football to prolong my career and I don’t want to be that guy who keeps quitting and then thinking he can come back.
“I’m going to be 35 soon and we’re very strong in the middle of the park – there’s a lot of young lads in that area.
“It’s been hard for me to watch the games because you always want to be playing in them but, at the end of the day, I need to look after number one.
“My wish is that I could still be playing for Celtic and Scotland at the age of 45 but there comes a time when you have to make sure your body’s okay and give yourself the best chance of continuing to play for your club.”