According to reports, he has now had a change of heart, but the Scottish coach wants to hear the news from the player himself before considering him again.

"I have the highest regard for Gary but I've not heard that news from him," Brown told Ananova.com.

"And until I do I have nothing to say about it."

The 36-year-old Liverpool midfielder made his debut for his country back in 1990 and is one of a select few players in the SFA's National Hall of Fame.

"I'm not doubting the authenticity of the quotes I've read, but I would rather hear from Gary and I haven't heard from my colleague Alex Miller who works at Liverpool either," he added.

But Brown is delighted with the current form of another former Scottish skipper Colin Hendry and fellow defender Christian Dailly.

Both had found themselves out of favour at Coventry and Blackburn but moves to Bolton and West Ham respectively have re-ignited their careers.

The duo are now firmly back in the international picture ahead of next month's vital World Cup qualifier against Belgium.

"Hendry's situation now is great for us and so is Dailly going to West Ham," added Brown.

"I'm delighted that these two have settled in because Colin Hendry has been the lynchpin of our defence for years."

Hendry requires just one more cap to tot up his 50th appearance for the national side but Brown won't let sentiment get in the way of selecting the inspirational centre-half.

"If that happens it happens," cautioned Brown. "He won't be picked on sympathy, he'll be picked on merit.

"But the way Colin is playing at the moment he'll certainly be in the squad on merit."