John Brown thinks Scotland can nullify Wales star Gareth Bale

Dundee interim manager John Brown believes Scotland's players need to "cancel out" Gareth Bale against Wales at Hampden on Friday.

The two countries meet in a Group A World Cup qualifier.

"Well, do you know what you do; with the pace that he's got and the close control - he can't run without legs," Brown told BBC Radio Scotland.

"I'm sure it'll be passed around the squad. Get close to him and don't give him time and space."

Scotland lost October's away fixture with Wales in Cardiff and are now bottom of the group on two points.

On that occasion, Tottenham player Bale scored twice in the final 10 minutes to ensure the Welsh took three valuable qualifying group points.

"One player in the Wales team won the game that night; cancel him out and the Welsh team are average," Brown said.

"I watched the game down there and the difference was Gareth Bale, when you give him time and space to run with the ball and strike it with his strong foot from 30 yards.

"Scott Brown was taken off, Charlie Adam came on and he never did a job on him.

"Your midfield, you get them tight, make sure your defence is compact and you make sure you're losing all the space for him.

"Gordon Strachan will know what he's doing. If he can nullify him I think the Welsh team are average."

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound programme, Brown denied employing rough-house tactics since taking over as Dundee's interim manager.

On Sunday, the Dark Blues drew 1-1 with rivals Dundee United in the Scottish Premier League and opposition winger Gary Mackay-Steven was one of the main threats.

"I've not asked my team to go out and kick lumps, I've asked my team to go out and get close to good players," said Brown, who played for Rangers from 1988 to 1997.

"I said get close to him [Mackay-Steven], get challenges in, put him off, don't give him time and space because he was the difference in the cup game.

"Not hit him hard; get close, get challenges in. People are forgetting it's a contact sport."