SCOTT BROWN has returned to Gordon Strachan’s Scotland squad for the World Cup qualifier against England at Wembley a week on Friday.
As expected, the Celtic skipper, who was been magnificent for Celtic in the champions League this season, has come out of his brief international retirement after missing the opening three clashes in Group F.
The Scots beat Malta comfortably, but drew 1-1 with Lithuania at Hampden before being walloped 3-0 by Slovakia in Bratislava.
It will be interesting to see if Strachan hands the captaincy back to the Celt with veteran Darren Fletcher in charge of the armband in his absence. Whatever happens Brown will be the de facto leader on the pitch.
Brown originally called time on his Scotland career after 50 caps due to his injury problems and in a bid to extend his career at the champions.
The 31-year-old midfielder is joined in the player pool with Hoops team-mates Craig Gordon, James Forrest and Leigh Griffiths.
Kieran Tierney drops out due to injury and this could open the door for Lee Wallace to play on the Wembley grass although Swansea’s Stephen Kingsley is a more informed candidate for the left back role.
The full squad is:
GOALKEEPERS: Craig Gordon (Celtic), Jack Hamilton (Hearts), David Marshall (Hull City);
DEFENDERS: Christophe Berra (Ipswich), Gordon Greer (Blackburn), Grant Hanley (Newcastle), Russell Martin (Norwich City), Callum Paterson (Hearts), Lee Wallace (Comedy Club Sevco Rangers), Stephen Kingsley (Swansea City);
MIDFIELDERS: Ikechi Anya (Derby County), Barry Bannan (Sheffield Wednesday), Oliver Burke (RB Leipzig), Darren Fletcher (West Brom), James Forrest and Scott Brown (both Celtic), James McArthur (Crystal Palace), John McGinn (Hibs), James Morrison (West Brom), Matt Ritchie (Newcastle), Robert Snodgrass (Hull City);
STRIKERS: Steven Fletcher (Sheffield Wednesday), Leigh Griffiths (Celtic), Chris Martin (Derby County), Steven Naismith (Norwich City).
