Football’s a funny game and you never know, says Brown
the first time in August 2016, before calling it quits again after Gordon Strachan’s departure as manager in February 2018. Asked if he would consider yet another comeback if the Scots reach their first major finals since France ’98, the Celtic captain said: ‘Football’s a funny game and you never know. ‘They still have two games to get through but... you never say never. I’m in a good place fitness-wise and in terms of my body. 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. ‘That’s been good for me and 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 No 1. ‘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.’ Despite winning 19 major trophies as Celtic captain and performing in the Champions League, Brown admits the failure to play in a major international tournament still rankles.
Speaking before ‘An Evening With Broony’ fans’ Q&A in Glasgow, the midfielder said: ‘It would be phenomenal (for Scotland) to get to a finals after 22 years. ‘It’s a regret of mine we never managed to get there. We came close against Norway in 2009 but we didn’t get there. ‘If big Chris Iwelumo has just stuck that chance away, it would’ve made me a happy man but it wasn’t to be. ‘We’ve had other chances but didn’t get there but I’ve done some fantastic things with Celtic; getting to the last 16 of the Champions League a few times and playing in the Europa League after Christmas.’
