STRACHAN EXPECTS BROWN TO PLAY AND ADMIRES McNEILL’S MEDALS

The current Celtic skipper retired from international football last summer, before performing a U-turn to play in the 3-0 loss against England at Wembley in November.

Brown has yet to make a final decision about appearances for his nation.

However, Strachan insisted that he has received no indication the 31-year-old midfielder is thinking of calling it quits before the double-header against Canada and Slovenia in seven weeks’ time.

He admitted: “I spoke to lots of players and Scott is one of them.

“Not one of them has said they don’t want to be involved in the next game.

“I’m sure over the course of a conversation that if anyone felt like that – just as Alan Hutton did a few months ago – then they would have told me.

“I spoke to Chris Martin, Charlie Mulgrew, Russell Martin and Robert Snodgrass, too.

“There are loads I’ve spoken to over the past few weeks and they know how we’re going to approach the next game and none of them said: ‘No, don’t pick me’.

Brown’s main concern remains the England qualifier in Glasgow on June 10.

It takes place just 10 days before the Hoops return to prepare for Champions League qualifiers and the player is wary of the demands on his body.

Strachan added: “I have spoken to Scott within the last 10 days. We’re not tying him down to a contract – it’s always up to the players if they feel good about themselves at that time.

“I see no reason why Scott won’t be in the next squad.

“Also, with some of the older players, I say to them I won’t have them in the squad unless I think they are going to be stripped.

“There are a few in that group and it’s only fair.”