NEIL LENNON reckons that Scott Brown will go on to have a great career in management when he finally hangs up his boots and hinted that he will be heavily involved at Celtic on the coaching side of things when the Celtic captain does decide to call time on an outstanding career in the Hoops.
Speaking at Lennoxtown yesterday, after Scott Brown had held his own Media Conference, to promote the launch of his new DVD, the Celtic manager was asked to explain what his captain brings to the Celtic teams he’s played in over the past twelve years.
“He brings great maturity in his role in the team, he’s evolved his game into a top holding-midfield player now. Reading the game, covering the ground, breaking up attacks and prompting attacks – his leadership qualities are invaluable here.
“It’s immeasurable to put in the words the contribution that he’s made over the last 10 or 12 years and he’s still, at 34, playing as well as ever.
“I think that’s testament to his professionalism and dedication. It’s not easy playing here and it’s certainly not easy being the captain here for the length of time he’s been here because there’s a huge responsibility,” the Celtic manager said at the club’s Media Conference, as reported by the official Celtic site.
“He’s grown into that role and taken it on, and even during my first time as manager he was a great role model for younger players. He’s just matured even more so now.
“He knows his own body and the environment and familiarity of the Scottish game, the physicality of it as well.
“You see his performances in Europe as well. His tactical awareness is excellent – his reading of the game against Lazio in particular. We were under the cosh a little bit, and he was at the forefront of the good stuff we did.
“At 34 there’s no signs of the legs slowing. He knows his own body and he knows how well he’s playing, so he doesn’t need me to tell him that.”
And on Broony’s role after he hangs up his boots, possibly at the end of next season after hopefully leading the club to Ten in a Row, the Celtic manager sees no reason why he’ll not go onto have a successful career in coaching.
“Football’s been his life and certainly Celtic has played a huge part in that as well, so I don’t see why not. The players all look to him, respect him, listen to him and he sets the tone for the rest of the squad.”
You can watch the Celtic manager’s Media Conference below where he also talks about the trip to Rome to face Lazio in November, and for this evening’s game against St Mirren he reveals that Bayo is a major doubt, Tom Rogic has an issue with his knee after playing the 90 minutes at Pittodrie on Sunday, Olivier Ntcham is back in training, Leigh Griffiths will resume training tomorrow and of course Ryan Christie is now available after serving his two match domestic ban for the red card he received at Livingston.
Scott Brown’s DVD, ‘Broony – Captain. Leader. Legend’ – is out this Friday, 1 November.
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