Brown: Scotland captaincy a huge honour

Strachan on Tuesday informed the Celtic skipper he would lead out his country for the first time against Estonia on Wednesday, just moments before the manager and captain's press conference was due to start.

Brown was given the armband in the continued absence of Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher, who is recovering from surgery to treat a chronic bowel condition, and after Wigan defender Gary Caldwell returned south with a minor injury.

Brown, who will win his 30th cap in the Pittodrie friendly, said: "He just told me that I was captain and walked away and left me to my own wee moment.

"That was about five minutes ago. He kept it quiet, I was wondering why I was coming downstairs and the only one sitting in reception.

"He came up and told me and it was a great moment.

"It's a huge honour, a thing you dream of when you're younger, captaining Scotland.

"I've been lucky enough to do it for Celtic for the last couple of seasons and now to get the chance for this game for Scotland is a great honour."

Strachan, who signed Brown for Celtic in 2007, added: "He already knows what it's like to be a captain, a captain with pressure, and that made him favourite.

"He is also in fine form, and if you put that together that makes Scotty the captain for tomorrow [Wednesday]."

Brown's public image is of a confrontational character on the park but Strachan stressed his true nature was much different.

"You know what he's like on the football field," he said.

"I have never met anyone who has met Scott Brown who didn't think he was a good lad. Anyone who meets him thinks he is terrific.

"We were at Aberdeen Sports Village today [Tuesday], and I turned back and he was talking and laughing with the staff. They enjoyed his company.

"He is the same with the players, he is infectious, he has time for people.

"He has no time for anyone who wants to get the better of him on a football field, but that's fine.

"He is well respected as a player and a person in the squad."

The 27-year-old, who has been playing through a hip issue all season, did not train with the rest of the squad on Tuesday after snowfall moved their session indoors, but he is hopeful of playing as long as possible on Wednesday despite Celtic's upcoming Champions League clash against Juventus next Tuesday.

"We have played a lot of games in the last month and training indoors wasn't the best for my body, so I did my own bit," Brown said.

"I only got 30 minutes at the weekend so I'm feeling fresh. I want to get as long as I can or as long as the gaffer wants to keep me on the park."

The former Hibernian player is also relishing returning to action under Strachan in the new manager's debut.

Brown said: "It's been great, it's been a good few years but he is the same old gaffer. He enjoys coming into work and he enjoys working with the lads, that's for sure."