Scott Brown targets Scotland return

Published on 01/10/2012 13:20

CELTIC captain Scott Brown is ready to return to the Scotland squad for their crunch 2014 World Cup qualifying double-header against Wales and Belgium later this month.

• Celtic are in Russia to face Spartak Moscow in the Champions League

• Scott Brown hopeful of making Scotland matches

• Skipper hails Celtic’s attacking options

The midfielder missed the Scots’ opening two games against Serbia and Macedonia at Hampden with a hip problem which has needed careful management this season.

However, speaking ahead of the Celtic’s Champions League Group G clash with Spartak Moscow tomorrow night, Brown said: “Hopefully I can make the Scotland squad.

“I am feeling good just now, I have played four or five games in the last couple of weeks and everything feels good.

“So I think the rest has definitely done me good, that’s for sure.”

In a sometimes bizarre press conference at the Radisson Royal hotel in Moscow, Brown teased one rather enthusiastic local journalist who asked if the Celtic players watched the movie ‘Braveheart’ before games.

He said: “Yes, we watch Braveheart and we put our kilts on, just before we go out to warm up and we all dance together.”

After a goalless draw in their first group game at home against Benfica, Brown is looking for Celtic to go one better against the Russian side.

He said: “I think we played well at home (against Benfica), I think we were unlucky that we didn’t create as many chances as we would like to have done.

“We have got players in the team who can score: Kris Commons who is dangerous from 20 yards out, Gary Hooper is on form as well so hopefully we can take this into the game.

“We have had a few away victories in Europe this season and hopefully we can take that form into this game as well.

“But it is going to be hard, Spartak are a good team and we are going to have to play very well.”