Brown named Scotland captain

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has named Celtic midfielder Scott Brown as captain for Wednesday's friendly against Estonia.

Last Updated: 05/02/13 at 20:15 Post Comment   

Bhoys skipper Brown will lead out the team for the first time at Pittodrie.

"He already knows what it's like to be a captain with pressure and that made him favourite," Strachan told a press conference in Aberdeen.

Gary Caldwell and Kenny Miller have shared captaincy duties in the absence of Darren Fletcher, who is battling a chronic bowel condition.

But Caldwell has returned to Wigan with an injury and 33-year-old Miller is unlikely to start as the Vancouver Whitecaps striker is in the midst of his close season.

Strachan confirmed Caldwell's withdrawal was one of several from his squad, adding: "He's left. Grant (Hanley) has left too, they did well to come up, they'd really been struggling.

"Ross McCormack has left, he's got some sort of bug but he made it up here which was terrific.

"Young James (Forrest) went back because I felt it might be too much to play two games back to back for him. So he's away to Celtic and they'll look after him there."

The Scotland boss is more than willing to co-operate with Clydesdale Bank Premier League managers as all parties aim to minimise player fatigue.

"I spoke to a lot of managers recently and I'm trying to do the best for the group and the best for the managers," he added. "The team that is picked is the best one we can put out tomorrow.

"We're taking into consideration the last time they played, the conditions they played in and who'll be playing at the weekend.

"We'll try to help them and try to get something positive for ourselves."

Strachan is preparing to make his debut as Scotland manager at the ground where he spent seven successful years as a player between 1977 and 1984.

He added: "When I first got the job I thought 'wherever the first game is, it will be fantastic' but I think I've realised it's even more special that I'm going back to Aberdeen where I enjoyed smashing times with great players.

"I'm going back again 30-odd years later and the best wishes have been overwhelming, especially in Aberdeen. The people that I've met around this area recently have made it even more special.

"The group Craig (Levein) passed to me are a smashing bunch of players and sometimes they're over enthusiastic but we can always curtail that."

Strachan told Brown he would be leading the team out five minutes before the captain's press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

The 27-year-old, who will win his 30th cap on Wednesday, said: "It's a huge honour, a thing you dream of when you're younger, captaining Scotland.

"I've been lucky enough to do it for Celtic for the last couple of seasons and now to get the chance for this game for Scotland is a great honour."

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

J

ose will have (and will always have) the total support of every Chelsea fan. Cant wait for that swagger to walk through the doors at Stamford Bridge and announce I'm back . It may not last for ever but hey it'll be exciting and worth the pain

cmh1966
The Pros And Cons Of Mourinho's Return...

G

ood one David, best sneak in there quickly and nab him before the everyone else realises that the £18M eighteen year old Chelsea bought in 2011 is one for the future. Maybe try and get Courtois on the cheap too before anyone else realises his potential.

nish
West Ham look to lure Lukaku

W

ow would never have considered Rafa at Newcastle, interesting.. Very interesting.

dhirt11
Rafa Casting Shadow Over Pardew?

Footer 365

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers expects a quick decision on Andy Carroll's future

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers admits he expects Andy Carroll's future to be decided quickly this summer.

Mata: Mourinho one of the best

Juan Mata would welcome the appointment of Jose Mourinho as Chelsea's new manager and says they must aspire to win the Premier League.

Zabaleta excited by Pellegrini

Pablo Zabaleta believes Manuel Pellegrini could be a great manager for Manchester City as his "way to play football is great".

Mail Box

Mails: Jol Out And Other Demands...

You might notice that we haven't included a single mail about teams in pubs, because most of them were terrible. Instead we have a disgruntled Fulham fan and Scouse maths...

A Night In The Pub With Aston Villa...

Villa are the latest team to get the pub treatment, while the morning mailbox also includes missives on Tony Pulis leaving Stoke and Chelsea's future under Jose Mourinho...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved