Celtic goalkeeper Scott Bain thinks the only player at the club guaranteed to be on Neil Lennon’s team sheet is captain Scott Brown, as reported by The Scottish Sun.
The Hoops shot-stopper was speaking about competition for places at the club and the ongoing tussle with Craig Gordon for the number one jersey at Celtic Park.
However, his comments did reveal an interesting opinion about Brown.
As quoted by The Scottish Sun, Bain said: “I don’t think anyone here — with the exception of Scott Brown — is guaranteed to start.
“It’s great to have someone like Craigy who’s wanting to play, and pushing me to make sure I am at the highest standard I can be.”
Captain marvel
At 34, you may be forgiven for thinking Brown could begin to be phased out of the Celtic team. That’s not happening any time soon.
Last season he started 47 of Celtic’s 63 matches, only really missing the rest because of injury. He very much appears to be undroppable.
The midfielder signed a new contract in January that has sparked a renewed and sustained period of form.
His selection has been justified, but is there another way forward in the Celtic midfield?
Alternative options
Some of Celtic’s best form last season came without Brown in the team. The trio of Callum McGregor, Ryan Christie and Tom Rogic played some classy stuff when the captain was out injured.
In domestic matches where we will dominate possession almost by default there is little need for a midfield enforcer.
Having a more creative outlet in the middle of the park could help with Lennon’s Celtic Park problem.
We’ve yet to win by more than one goal at home since he took charge, struggling to kill off games.
Fielding a more attack-minded team would increase the chances of bringing big victories back to Paradise.
Brown clearly still has a massive role to play at Celtic but other options should be explored in appropriate low-risk games this season.
One day the captain will hang up his boots and we must be ready to transition.
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