Brown backs Butcher to thrive with Scotland

The former Scotland manager Craig Brown believes Terry Butcher is a "first-class" appointment to successor George Burley's coaching staff.

Butcher has agreed to become one of Burley's two assistants and should finalise his part-time contract before the squad meet up for a three-day training camp on Sunday.

Brown capped the likes of Londoner Neil Sullivan, who qualified for Scotland through a grandparent, and he believes Burley is right to draw on the experience and passion of his former Ipswich team-mate.

"At least those who come to play for Scotland with English accents will now find there is someone with an English accent on the staff," Brown said.

"There has never been a problem, and there has never been a Celtic-Rangers problem in the national team. The guys with English accents were welcomed. Terry Butcher is a first-class appointment."

Butcher was a popular Motherwell manager before leaving in 2006 for less successful spells in charge of Sydney and Brentford. And Brown believes his coaching record stands up well, as he was given little time to prove himself in a tough introduction to management at Coventry City and Sunderland.

"They threw him right in because he was England captain," Brown said. "But he never got the time a guy like Bryan Robson has got.

"Had he been given the time at Sunderland or Coventry, he would have been a success. Brentford were on their knees when he went there so I wouldn't hold that against him."

Butcher has promised to give his all to Scotland, where he has spent most of his life since signing for Rangers in 1986. He told BBC Radio Five Live: "I've been in Scotland for the last 22 years and although I'm not Scottish, I'm not far off."

Butcher is expected to be joined in the coaching set-up by Steven Pressley. The 34-year-old, who was captain under Burley at Hearts, was left out of the squad that will meet up at Loch Lomond on Sunday.