Former Rangers defender Terry Butcher believes Scott Brown would be able to cope in the English Premier League, even with a top four club, and has rubbished suggestions the Celtic star runs about like a headless chicken.

Brown has enjoyed huge success in Scotland, but has never tried his luck in England, leading some to wonder whether he could cut the mustard when making the step up in the Premier League.




Butcher however has no doubts and feels even at the age of 31 the Celtic captain could flourish in the Premier League.

The former Rangers defender feels Brown is a clever player and says criticism that he runs around like a headless chicken is wide of the mark.
 


"Scott could handle the English Premier League no problem at all. He's a clever player", Butcher told BBC Scotland.

relatedNewsStory

"People think he goes about like a headless chicken, but he doesn't.

"He's very clever, he's very strong, he's the fulcrum, the point of attack in midfield and the point of defence as well", he added.

Butcher also believes that Brown could do more than just play in the Premier League, with the former defender thinking the Celtic star could turn out for one of the biggest clubs in the division.

"I think he could. He's an enforcer but he's also a passer of the ball.

"If he was given a specific role he's got the ability mentally and physically to cope with that. I still think he could do that now.

"You look at players in his position in the top four sides, the top six sides – and there is now looking like a top six or seven in England – he could handle that quite comfortably", Butcher said.

Brown is expected to captain Scotland when they take on England in a 2018 World Cup qualifier at Hampden on Saturday.