IT'S only a friendly against Estonia on what will most likely be a cold February night in Aberdeen, but it could go down as one the most important matches in Scotland's recent history.

Gordon Strachan's first game as national team boss is being targeted as the night the reversal of fortunes begins.

Scott Brown believes the man who signed him for Celtic from Hibs for £4.4million has all the knowledge and know-how to get everyone onside from the start.

And Brown, who has been struggling with a hip problem all season, does not want to miss Strachan's first game in charge, even though it comes six days before Celtic face Juventus in the first leg of their Champions league last- 16 tie. He said: "There is a game in February and I want to be involved in that. I know it's only a friendly, but it'll be his first game, so it's going to be huge now."

Brown expects a similar positive response from the rest of the group and said: "He'll bring a maturity to the squad, confidence also, as well as a will to win.

"But it's not all down to the man in charge. A lot of comes down to the players because, whoever steps on to the pitch, needs to get the pride back to Scotland.

"We need to win games and show everyone it means a lot for us to play for the country.

"Gordon is a great man-manager who knows how to handle big-time players as well as players coming through.

"They took their time but, at the end of the day, they got the right man, which is the main thing."