Strachan’s team won their opening match against Malta 5-1, then drew 1-1 at home with Lithuania and lost 3-0 to Slovakia.
When Brown announced he was stepping down from his appearances for his country, he admitted: “It’s no secret I’ve suffered some injuries in my career and once you get over 30 you have to protect your body more.
“I’m not the type of player who can coast half-heartedly through a game – I give 100 per cent every time.
“Given the importance of this campaign for Scotland, and the challenges ahead at Celtic, I simply felt that I could not keep up both commitments without either my performances or recovery time suffering.”
Since then, however, Brown has been a stand-out performer for the Hoops without the effect of injuries that have hampered him in the past.
