CHARLIE MULGREW insists Scott Brown is ready to prove his top-level credentials once and for all with another powerhouse display against the Republic of Ireland.

The Celtic twosome teamed up in midfield to dump Martin O'Neill's side at Parkhead back in November and are likely to be handed the same task in Dublin on Saturday night when the sides go head-to-head again in Group D of the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.

Mulgrew insists Hoops captain Brown does not get the praise he deserves and believes this is the perfect stage to show that he is a player capable of succeeding at any level of the game.

"I enjoy playing with Scott," he said. "He does the ugly side of the game, which, sometimes, he doesn't get credit for, but you definitely see it when you play alongside or against him.

"Anyone partnering Scott knows the job he does and how valuable he is to this squad.

"He is definitely good enough to be playing somewhere like down south. We've seen it at international and Champions League level what a top-class player he is.

"Does he get the credit he deserves? I don't know. He got my vote for Celtic's player of the year based on the difference he makes to the team."

Mulgrew has been fast-tracked back into the Scotland squad after spending five months out of action with a knee injury and only reappearing in Celtic colours for the last two games of the domestic season.

He did such a terrific job against the Irish in Glasgow, sitting in front of the back four and helping win possession as well as keep it, that it is easy to understand why Gordon Strachan wanted him back in his side so badly.

"That was definitely one of my best games for Scotland," recalled Mulgrew. "You always know when you have played well and not so well.

"That night, I felt I had played very well and I was very happy with my performance.

"The most important thing is that we won the game and I was just glad I could help us do that."

Of course, Strachan is without the Blackburn Rovers defender Grant Hanley for the trip to Dublin and has the option of using Mulgrew in defence. The 29-year-old started last Friday night's 1-0 friendly win over Qatar at Easter Road at centre back and would happily play there again.

"It was good to get that 90 minutes on Friday," he stated. "After being out injured, you need to get as much game time as you can get.

"I'm delighted to be back.

"Could I play in defence again on Saturday? I don't know. I've lost count of the amount of times I've been asked my favourite position and where I think I will play.

"I'll play wherever I'm asked to. You've seen the competition there is for places and how much quality there is in the squad, so playing anywhere would be an honour.

"I look at my versatility as being a positive. It gives me more chance to get on the pitch.

"I've heard some people mention that it is better to settle in one position, but I quite enjoy moving around."