Bringing back Steven Fletcher reveals Craig Levein’s ‘desperation’ - Wales keeper

WALES goalkeeper Jason Brown claims all the pressure is on Scotland and Craig Levein ahead of Friday’s World Cup qualifier in Cardiff.

• Scotland take on Wales on Friday and Belgium on Tuesday

• Cardiff clash billed as must-win for both countries

The Aberdeen player also criticied the Scotland boss over his handling of the Steven Fletcher situation, and his “negative” tactics.

Wales’ World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign got off to a worse start than Scotland - they sit bottom of Group A after a 2-0 loss to Belgium and a humiliating 6-1 defeat to Serbia.

However, Brown, 30, claims that Levein will be feeling the pressure more than his Wales counterpart Chris Coleman.

He said: “Is this win or bust for both of us? Definitely. But for us there is no pressure, we are at home and we know how good we are.

“Craig Levein is under a lot of pressure. He’s been in the job for a long time now and from what I gather people are starting to turn against him.”

Fletcher

Levein recalled Sunderland striker Fletcher to the Scotland squad last week after almost two years of acrimony between both parties, and Brown believes this highlights the Scots’ lack of cutting edge in recent performances.

“He has also had to backtrack over the Fletcher issue, which will have probably hurt him,” he said.

“Scotland have some very talented players. I’ve been fortunate to work with guys like Robert Snodgrass and Ross McCormack and I know there are some really good players there.

“But for some reason or another people have said to me that the manager sets his side up a bit too negatively.

“He’s been playing two holding midfielders, especially at home and when Scotland are at home they tend to be a little more cautious.

“So by picking Fletcher he’s maybe shown a sign of desperation. Maybe they’ll come out and attack us a little bit more.

“Fletcher is a talented player. He has just won Player of the Month in the Premier League and that’s not easy. He is a proven goalscorer and the most expensive Scottish player you’ve got.

“You’ve got good goalkeepers, good defenders and good midfielders, but for some reason it hasn’t worked — and hopefully it won’t on Friday.”

Injuries

Wales’ first-choice goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and deputy Boaz Myhill have been ruled out through injury, so Brown has emerged as favourite to play on Friday.

“Hopefully I can start the game on Friday,” he said. “Obviously, I’m hopeful because I have been in the last two squads and out of the three of us I was the last one to play, against Mexico.

“I’d like to think I acquitted myself well so hopefully that should stand me in good stead. If it’s not me, I will be cheering on and trying to help.”