Scott Brown reckons that Celtic’s gruelling pre-season sessions in Austria can set the side up for a good tilt at Europe.
The Hoops are back in their favoured European location and were put through a gruelling double session, a month on from the Scottish Cup final victory over Hearts.
Temperatures in Austria are reported to have soared above 30 degrees and Brown is adamant that it will benefit the Celtic players in the long-run.
He told the Scottish Sun: “The heat is hard to work in but as players you just need to do it.
“There are some Champions League games when you go away and it’s 35 degrees at this time of the year.
“It’s been hard but we still try to enforce that pressing mentality.
“We are doing a lot of short sharp stuff and it’s about getting ready for the coming weeks.
Celtic must not rely on Brown
It will be very interesting to see if Brown plays the same number of games for Celtic this coming season. The Hoops skipper has played 161 matches at club level over the past three seasons. That’s a remarkable tally and one that is likely to have an impact on a guy who has just turned 34.
Celtic’s capture of David Turnbull should mean that Brown is able to sit out the odd match. The 19-year-old does play further up the pitch but his very presence means that Brown could be rested for the lesser league matches.
Nir Bitton is another player who could fill in if needs be. The Israeli featured just 23 times last season but is in a better place for the coming season.
With Callum McGregor and Ryan Christie also in midfield, Celtic should have plenty of options even if Olivier Ntcham moves on. Neil Lennon must resist the opportunity to play Brown every single week. Playing week in week out can’t be good for a player entering the closing stages of his career as Brown is.
The club must box clever with this one. In return, they should get Scott Brown at his very best.
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