Celtic’s Interim Manager John Kennedy has been paying his own tribute to club captain Scott Brown who yesterday confirmed that he will leave the club at the end of the season – after 14 glorious years in Paradise – to take up a new challenge at Pittodrie where he will be player coach in Stephen Glass’ new project at Aberdeen.
“He’s been a terrific captain and leader of the group,” said John Kennedy told the official Celtic website. “He’ll be irreplaceable in terms of what he gives us on a daily basis, his drive to be successful and how he leads the group by example every single day. It’s very difficult to replace that but in terms of what he’s given us, with his attitude and application us second to none.
“He’s the perfect example of a modern-day professional. How he lives his life, the condition he keeps himself in and how he pushes himself every single day is incredible,” Kennedy added. “He’s the guy coaches and always look to in order to take some of the burden off other players. You always know Scott’s there and every match day you hear him before games and you hear him on the pitch.
“He drives the training forward every day. He’s a massive character, a huge personality and he’s been a massive part of this club for so long and he’ll certainly be missed.”
The one frustration for John Kennedy is that his time working with the legendary skipper while managing the team himself is going to be so short.
“I’d love to have had more time with him and seen him bring more success to the club but it’s his own personal decision and we have to respect that. He’s given so much of his life to us and we wish him all the best moving forward.
“He’s one of the greats of this club, that’s without doubt, and that’ll only grow as time passes. He’s a huge part of the club and he always will be in my eyes.
“He’s very much focused on his playing and finishing well here. In terms of his attributes, he’s very coach-like in terms of how he conducts himself and the way he leads by example and behaves himself. That’s a part of coaching as well so he has a great base there to be a great coach.”
Brown’s work ethic and sheer desire to win are probably his outstanding characteristics according to the current Celtic boss.
“With young players, they might have the talent but that alone isn’t enough to be successful,” he said. “It comes down to attitude and application. I remember Scott as a young player at Hibs and his desire on the pitch was outstanding.
“When you see him up close you realise that desire he brings on a matchday is there every day in training. His unselfishness to make others better, as well as himself, is an outstanding quality to have and it’s why he’s been the captain of this club for so long. He’s a massive part of why this club has been so successful.
“He doesn’t do things for his own benefit. Scott is very much a guy who does everything for the benefit of the team and the club. The way he leads on a daily basis, the way he leads in the dressing room and how he performs on the pitch is all for the team to be successful.”
COMING SOON…
