Brown dismisses job talk

Brown will rely heavily on Don Hutchison for goals

Belgium v Scotland
World Cup qualifier
Brussels, Kick-off 1915 BST

Live coverage on BBC Radio Scotland 810MW from 1900BST on Wednesday.

Scotland coach Craig Brown tells BBC Sport Online's Colin Moffat in Brussels that he is unconcerned about his job security.

National coach Craig Brown is hoping a good result at the Stade Roi Baudouin on Wednesday night will go a long way to ensuring Scotland's place at the World Cup finals and end the clamour of calls for his head.

Throughout the build up to the match in Brussels there have been persistent stories suggesting that his job is on the line.

The Scots need to win or draw against Belgium to keep hopes of World Cup qualification alive, but Brown is no stranger to the burden of stress.

"There is always pressure in an international manager's job," Brown told me.

"Right from day one, eight years ago, there is the weight of expectation, so I'm used to that.

"I wouldn't say that this is the biggest game of my career because we've survived several key games to get here.

I am not contemplating failure - I am really optimistic about this fixture and the one with Latvia

Craig Brown

"All talk of my future is media motivated. I do this job confidently and competently and I won't respond to media speculation.

"There has been no approach from my employers at the Scottish Football Association and I'm under contract until the end of December, so, as far as I'm concerned, I'll be carrying out my duties with the national team."

Brown, who received messages of support from former England coaches Howard Wilkinson and Bobby Robson, was, more importantly, backed by SFA chief executive, David Taylor.

"Craig has done a superb job for Scotland," said Taylor.

"Of course it's important for Scotland to be playing at World Cups. There are obvious financial rewards and we want to enjoy a high profile on a world stage.

"But we look to the long term and there will not be a knee jerk reaction after one match."

Poor performance

Brown refused to entertain talk of "what-ifs" and is going into the match in a positive frame of mind.

"I always like to think we'll win," he continued.

"I thought we could have beaten Brazil at France '98 and we certainly shouldn't have lost."

The Scots bring a nine-match unbeaten away record to Belgium, where they have not won for 50 years.

"We still have a great chance even though it is an away fixture because away fixtures don't worry us.

"But I would hope to play better than we did on Saturday against Croatia. That was one of our poorest performances.

"We are facing an excellent Belgium side. They have a settled team and an outstanding coach in Robert Waseige.

"I am not contemplating failure. I am really optimistic about this fixture and the one with Latvia."