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Former Scotland coach Craig Brown backs Ricky Sbragia over Jack Harper exclusion

Image: Craig Brown: Warned of Harper 'hype'

Former Scotland manager Craig Brown has defended Ricky Sbragia claiming his decision not to include Real Madrid youngster Jack Harper in his U19 squad should be respected.

Sbragia labelled Harper a “luxury player" when announcing his latest Scotland party to face Austria, Italy and Croatia in the UEFA European Championship Elite Round on Tuesday, claiming he is looking for more height in the group, despite the Madrid youngster already standing at 6ft 1in.

The 19-year-old’s father, John, has told the Daily Record that Spain were quick to enquire about his son’s international status after being left out by Sbragia, and reckons Jack may have a decision to make in the near future about which country he represents.

He might never play for Real Madrid or he might be a world star but the point I’m trying to make is that the name of the club tends to hypnotise people.
Craig Brown

However, while Brown, who was in charge of the Scotland national team from 1993-2001, said that technical ability was to be valued over physical strength, he insisted that it was important to trust Sbragia’s judgement, claiming people’s opinions could be blurred given Harper is a Real Madrid youth player.

'Commodity'

Speaking on Sky Sports News HQ, Brown said: "Technical ability is the main priority, quite clearly. There are very small players doing exceptionally well and have done over the years and I think physical strength is important but it’s not the vital commodity. I think the main commodity is skill and technical ability.

“I respect Ricky Sbragia greatly. Now, the fact that the lad is not selected is highlighted principally because - he’s not played for Real Madrid, I want to emphasise – he’s been signed by Real Madrid.

“He might never play for Real Madrid or he might be a world star but the point I’m trying to make is that the name of the club tends to hypnotise people and think that if you’re a Real Madrid signing you must be a better player than the Scottish players who are playing for Scottish clubs. Now, that is not necessarily the case.

“We hope in years to come it will be and he’ll turn out to be a very good Scotland player but we’ve got to respect the coach’s decision to leave him out the team at the moment.”

Brown conceded it was a concern that Spain were reported to be interested in securing Harper’s services but re-iterated that players at youth level couldn’t just be selected for squads based on the clubs they play for.

He said: “If he’s good enough to play for Spain it would be a worry if we lose him but I’ve got to be honest and say that quite clearly Ricky will know him and doesn’t consider him, at the moment, ready to play in the Scotland team and you have to respect that.

“I just think there is far too much hype because it is a Real Madrid name in front of the media and when they see Real Madrid they assume every Real Madrid player is outstanding. Now many are, and most are, but it doesn’t necessarily follow.

“There will be players playing in England and in Scotland, particularly in Scotland, of the same age and of comparable ability and I think we’ve got to consider them and not because he plays for Real Madrid make him a first choice selection for the U19 team.”

Brown also agreed with FA chairman Greg Dyke’s suggestion that there should be a rise in the number of home-grown players included in club squads for the season and restrictions placed on the number of foreign players in various leagues.

'Restrictions'

“I think it’s one solution, yes,” he said. “It would help if more natural English players were in England and Scottish players were playing in Scotland.

It’s not always possible but in theory the answer is to get everyone in England to be English and everyone in Scotland to be Scottish.
Craig Brown

"It’s not always possible but in theory that’s the answer to get everyone in England to be English and everyone in Scotland to be Scottish but in the modern day game that is pie in the sky.

“I do think there could be restrictions on the number of players who play in the various domestic leagues and Mr Dyke feels that, that’s his opinion. It might not necessarily suit in a smaller country like ours when we want to get the best possible standard, therefore we want the best possible players.

“Ideally if they were in Scotland it’s better for us, but if they are from abroad and it helps the game in Scotland and helps teams in Scotland do well in Europe we’ve got to consider them.” 

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