Star was ruled 'unfit' for training exercise

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12/04/2009

BOOZEGATE reveller Scott Brown MISSED the same swim session that landed Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor in hot water, we can reveal.

 

The wrecked Rangers pair ended up in Scotland boss George Burley's bad books when they were too drunk to join their team-mates in the Cameron House pool after their marathon booze-up.

 

But today we can reveal that Brown ALSO didn't take part in the Sunday afternoon "regeneration swimming and stretching" session - meant to tone the squad up for the vital World Cup qualifier with Iceland the following Wednesday.

 

After reporting for the workout, the Celtic midfielder was sent AWAY by Scotland coach Steven Pressley, who ruled he wasn't fit to get in the pool either.

 

One source said: "It certainly looked like he had been up all night. He was very tired."

 

We told last week how Scotland insiders claimed Brown had stayed up all night drinking with Ferguson and McGregor - and only went to bed 20 minutes before the shamed Gers were nabbed.

 

We also understand SFA officials interviewed hotel staff about the various incidents but did not quiz ANY of the players.

 

No Scotland stars were directly asked about their involvement - or what time they'd gone to bed.

 

Our insider said: "The SFA felt they would rather interview people who had been sober at the time."

 

Last night an SFA spokesman refused to say if Burley asked Brown about when he went to bed.

 

An official said: "We're satisfied our information about the players is correct, based on interviews with hotel staff."

 

And Celtic officials also refused to answer questions about Brown's involvement in Boozegate, instead passing the buck back to the SFA - who this week claimed the ace went to bed at around 8.30am.

 

We asked the Parkhead club's spokesman why OUR Scotland source told us that Brown DID stay up till around noon drinking with the Rangers captain and goalkeeper.

 

We also quizzed him on our information that Brown was turned away from the pool session - and asked if the midfielder was relieved he hadn't been punished.

 

Celtic's spokesman said: "The SFA have closed their investigation and said there was no blame on any other player. I haven't spoken to him (Brown) so I don't know if he's relieved.

 

"I can't answer these questions because these are really Scotland issues for the SFA. It's not something the club would comment on."

 

Brown also refused to answer our questions after Celtic's 1-1 draw with Hearts yesterday.

 

Dressed in jeans and a club T-shirt, he stopped to chat to fans and to sign autographs outside Edinburgh's Tynecastle stadium after the match.

 

But when approached by our reporter, the ex-Hibs ace said: "No comment" before boarding the Hoops team bus.

 

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/scottish/scottish_news/261456/Celtic-ace-missed-Scotland-pool-session-Scott-Brown.html