Brown sure Scotland can mix it with the best at Euro 2024

Former captain Scott Brown says he would have relished playing for Steve Clarke's Scotland as they prepare for Euro 2024 next summer.

The Tartan Army wrapped up qualification last month after a memorable campaign that included victory over Spain at Hampden Park.

And Brown, 38, believes the attitude they showed against the 2010 world champions proves they can mix it with the best this summer.

He told LiveScore: "It's a Scotland team anyone would enjoy playing in.

"It's got great energy. It's got centre-backs who are quick, full-backs who are quality, strikers who score and a midfield that holds everything together.

"We beat Spain at home and then we were unlucky over there. I'd like to have seen what would have happened if we were 1-0 up with 15 minutes to play, the way they were reacting to us getting in their faces.

"Football is a contact sport and we're not just going to let Spain dominate us for 90 minutes.

"That's what I love about this team. We have energy but we have quality as well.

"Steve will have them well drilled for the Euros."

Powerful engines

John McGinn and Scott McTominay have impressed throughout qualification and former midfielder Brown is full of praise for their efforts.

The ex-Celtic skipper, who hung up his boots last year, started alongside McGinn when the Aston Villa star made his international debut in 2016 and has been impressed by his progress.

Brown said: "I played against McGinn when he was at St Mirren and he had ability.

"He grew into a proper player when he was at Hibernian.

"He's a strong boy, he uses his bum well, he rolls out of tackles and he's got a fantastic engine.

"He's got a great left foot but he's got that nastiness as well.

"I've got a lot of time for John."

McTominay, meanwhile, scored six goals in five qualifiers earlier in 2023 and Brown believes he is finally getting the credit he deserves — for club as well as country.

He said: "If you ask Manchester United fans who they want in the middle of the park, they're going to say Scott.

"Fair play to him for sticking to his guns there because I'm sure he had a few offers. Now he's flying.

"He's got a great engine, he wants to score goals and he's got that running power."

Show of ambition

Brown is a Scottish football stalwart, playing for Hibs and Aberdeen either side of a 14-year stint at Celtic during which he climbed to seventh on their list of all-time appearance-makers.

His Hoops career included the duration of Brendan Rodgers' first spell as manager — and he is delighted to see the former Liverpool boss succeeding in Glasgow again.

Brown said: "I thought it was a great decision to bring Brendan back.

"It shows real drive from the board as well. He's been a fantastic manager down in England with a few big clubs and then he's come back to Celtic.

"They've had a bit of bad luck and been caught out with their style of play in Europe but I'm sure Brendan will be feeding that in and he'll want more success next year.

"He's going to go on and do more brilliant things for this club."

Scott Brown was speaking to LiveScore on behalf of luckyblock.com