Celtic legend Scott Brown set to make one-off playing return in testimonial

By Lewis Laird

December 19, 2022

Former Celtic captain Scott Brown will pull on his playing boots once again after it was announced he would be taking part in Stephen Dobbie’s testimonial match.

The 37-year-old brought his successful career to an end last campaign, just a few months after his Parkhead exit in the summer of 2021.

Now, the legendary Hoops figure is aiming to kick start his career in coaching and is the manager of 16th-place English League One side Fleetwood Town.

Many Celtic supporters have been keeping a close eye on the former midfielder to see how he is getting on south of the border, and he appears to be doing a decent job in an attempt to steady the ship at Highbury.

After watching Brown lead many different Celtic sides to success over the years, it can be a bit of a strange sight, seeing him in the dugout rather than out on the pitch.

However, the Scotland international is set to make a one-off return to playing after it was announced he would be taking part in Stephen Dobbie’s testimonial.

Scottish Championship side Queen of the South confirmed that they would be honouring their former club captain by holding a testimonial match at Palmerston Park next April.

Dobbie and a Queens 11 will take on a team of Scottish Legends, who will be led out by none other than Celtic great Scott Brown.

In a statement announcing the match, the club said [QOTS]: “A testimonial committee has been formed to plan a number of events to recognise the strikers, commitment, loyalty and contributions to the club. The year-long testimonial will get underway at the end of April 2023 (Sun 30th), with a match at Palmerston when the man himself will select his all-time Queens 11 to take on a Scotland Legends side that will be captained by Scott Brown.”

Scott Brown set to make one-off playing return.

Brown and Dobbie briefly spent time as teammates during their days at Hibernian between 2003-2005. But they both went on very different paths after their departure from Easter Road.

Currently, the legendary Celtic figure is the only other player that has been announced to take part in the testimonial on April 30th next year.

However, you would expect he will be joined by a host of familiar Scottish names and potentially some other ex-Celtic players too.

After bringing his career to a somewhat surprising end earlier this year, the friendly fixture allows the Brown to pull on his boots and captaincy armband one more time.

Although it may only be a well-spirited testimonial match, I am sure fans will be hopeful of seeing some aspects of a classic Scott Brown performance as he rolls back the years in midfield.

His time as a manager may have matured a little, though. But it is bound to be a great sight, seeing the Celtic legend pull on his boots for a one-off return next year.

In other news, Ange Postecoglou delivers instant verdict on ‘dominant’ Celtic win over Aberdeen.