‘NO WEMBLEY GUARANTEES FOR BROONIE,’ BLUFFS McGHEE
CELTIC skipper Scott Brown missed training with the Scotland international squad yesterday as they prepared for Friday’s World Cup qualifier against England at Wembley.
The Hoops powerhouse was still feeling the aftermath of a dead leg he suffered in the 3-0 weekend win over Inverness Caley Thistle where he was forced to come off after an hour.
Mark McGhee, the Scots’ assistant boss, admitted there were no problems with the 31-year-old midfielder’s fitness – but stressed there were no guarantees the comeback Bhoy would face the English.
Brown has come out of international retirement for this game just two months and three matches – against Malta, Lithuania and Slovakia – following his decision to quit the scene after picking up his 50th cap.
McGhee said: “We have very strong midfielders. We have James McArthur, James Morrison, who was excellent for West Brom at Leicester on Sunday, Darren Fletcher and I don’t think Barry Bannan has done a lot wrong.
“In these last few games, he’s been one of our better players. The manager has got a decision to make there and Scott being back gives him another one.
“It would be totally unfair on those other boys. If Scott is an automatic starter, then one or two of them are not going to play. It’s not for me to say that.
“I think the good thing is Scott is here, he is putting pressure on them, putting pressure on the manager to pick him, he’s playing well.
“He has a good chance of playing, but that’s not been decided yet.”
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