Brown was booked for a 13th time this season after a foul on Gretna's Ryan Baldacchino on Sunday and will now miss three SPL games next month - including a crucial Old Firm match at Parkhead.

New Scotland boss George Burley warned the 22-year-old to stop diving into challenges ahead of Wednesday night's friendly international with Croatia at Hampden Park.

Brown, pleading over-exuberance in his mitigation, said: "I spoke to the manager about that and he said, 'Stay on your feet more'.

"He said that I've got good enthusiasm but I shouldn't lunge into the challenges as much.

"Sometimes I get caught up in the heat of the moment - everybody does - but the rules are probably stricter now and if you go to ground you have to get 100% of the ball."

Brown claimed - tongue in cheek - that did not deserve any of the cautions he has amassed with Celtic.

He said: "I don't think I merited any of the 13. I don't go into challenges to hurt people, I go in to win the ball.

"If I don't win the ball I put my hands up and say sorry.

"I knew right away when I received the card Sunday I would be suspended and I was disappointed. But I always play to win."