THE players who have gained membership of Scotland’s exclusive 50 cap club over the years have invariably, although not always, been legendary figures in our national game.

The likes of Billy Bremner, Kenny Dalglish, Richard Gough, Joe Jordan, Denis Law, Danny McGrain, Paul McStay, Willie Miller, Graeme Souness, Gordon Strachan and George Young are among those who have represented their country on a half century of occasions or more.

Does Scott Brown, who yesterday announced that he had brought his 11 year international career to an end and will focus exclusively on playing for Celtic in the future, deserve to be classed alongside such revered compatriots?

The midfielder has certainly, since making his debut as a Hibs player aged just 20 in a friendly against the United States at Hampden in 2005, been a devoted servant for Scotland. At times, too, he has been nothing short of outstanding.

His performance in the 1-0 win over France in a European Championship qualifier in Paris in 2007, for example, was world class. The maturity of his showing against the likes of Claude Makelele, Florent Malouda and Patrick Vieira belied his tender years and was hugely important in securing what was an historic result.

What is more, “Broonie” has led Scotland, and led by example, many times over the years. On and off the pitch. His high fitness levels and willingness to run for 90 minutes have ensured that those around him have raised themselves when they were tiring. His madcap personality and fondness for fun, meanwhile, has made the national squad an altogether more enjoyable place to be than it would otherwise have been in his absence.

He is often dismissed as nothing more than a practical joker. He certainly is often at the heart of the dressing room pranks and wind-ups. But there is more to him than that. He is as pleasant and obliging off the park as he can be antagonistic and confrontational on it. He fulfilled the many responsibilities that came with the role of national skipper without complaint.

Yet, can the man who hails from Hill of Beath, the home town of a genuine legend of Scottish football, Jim Baxter, really be considered a great? It is unlikely that, even with the passage of time, supporters will ever hold him in the same sort of esteem as his illustrious forebears.

Brown, who won his 50th cap in his last international outing against Denmark at Hampden back in March, was unable to help Scotland secure a place in either the European Championship or World Cup finals in no fewer than five qualifying campaigns. It is hardly an impressive track record.

The 31-year-old came close. He played in the agonising 2-1 loss to Italy which ended the hopes that Alex McLeish’s charges had of progressing to the Euro 2008 finals. A poor decision by the referee, who awarded the visitors a free-kick which should, by rights, have gone to the home team, in injury-time ultimately denied them.

The national team’s inability to emulate the achievements of their predecessors, of course, wasn’t entirely down to him. The standard of player he has had alongside him has been far lower than it was in the past. The man at the helm hasn’t always known how to how to extract the best displays out of him and his team mates either.

It is tantalising to speculate on how he would he have fared in a different era and in a different team. Few Scotland players have been able to match his athleticism and physicality. He would have been an asset to any side over the years.

But would he even have been selected? He does not, by his own admission, have the technical ability or eye for goal as many others. We have had more complete individuals in the past.

Who is the better player? Jim Bett, who won 26 caps, or Scott Brown? Murdo MacLeod, who made 20 appearances for his country, or Scott Brown? Barry Ferguson, who played 45 times, or Scott Brown? There will be many members of the Tartan Army who will claim that Bett, MacLeod and Ferguson were superior.

Many exceptional talents, the likes of George Best, Ryan Giggs and George Weah, never graced a World Cup with their presence. One man doesn’t make a team.

But are Brown’s feats with Scotland greater than those of, say, Gordon Durie? The former Hibs, Chelsea, Spurs and Rangers striker, who won 43 caps, played in Italia ’90, Euro ’92, Euro ’96 and France ’98. What is more, his displays and goals proved important in getting us to these tournaments, not least 18 years ago. It could be argued Durie contributed more.

Latterly, Brown has struggled to produce his best form for both club and country. The number of intense fixtures he has been asked to play for Celtic domestically and in Europe as well as Scotland internationally has taken a heavy toll on him both physically and mentally. He has been dogged by niggling injuries in the last few seasons and hasn’t been able to perform at his best. This decision is the right one if he is to prolong his playing days.

Scott Brown will be missed by Scotland during their forthcoming Russia 2018 qualifying camp. Not least by Gordon Strachan. The man who also won 50 caps in his career was an unashamed admirer of his captain. But there are plenty of options in his department and his retirement is unlikely to have an adverse impact on on the national team’s prospects of making it through to the next World Cup.