GRAEME SOUNESS believes Scott Brown has the mettle and ability to cut it in the English Premier League - and that the midfielder's combativeness can be harnessed to good effect by Scotland.

The Celtic captain will perform on home soil on Friday night as Scotland take on the Republic of Ireland in a crucial European Championship qualifier.

Brown was in the thick of it for Celtic at the weekend after being red-carded at Pittodrie, but Souness says the player's aggression is something Scotland need in the middle of the park.

"I think he is a very busy, aggressive midfield player," said Souness. "You need someone like that who has a never-say-die attitude, gets in about people, who makes people rush passes and makes people make passes they don't want to make.

"You definitely have to have a player like that in your team. I'm sure Scott could play for certain teams down there."

The former Rangers manager also believes that while there will be a lot of support for Ireland in Glasgow this weekend Celtic Park can provide an intimidating atmosphere.

Having taken his Blackburn Rovers team there in the Uefa Cup in season 2002-03 as well as performing there with Rangers, Souness knows all about the intensity of the stadium.

Despite reservations about using Celtic Park for the game, Souness expects that Ireland will not find it a straight-forward venue.

He said: "My experience of Parkhead is that it is a hard place to play and there's a great atmosphere.

"I don't feel there will be an edge to the game, I guarantee it. You are playing a qualifier, it is a big game and both sets of players know there is a lot at stake.

"Both teams want to win. Of course they do, there is a place in the European Championships up for grabs."