Scott Brown’s future may very well be at Celtic Park after all, after a big blow for Western Melbourne.
The A League’s newest club have been rejected funding assistance from the FFA (Football Federation of Australia). According to the Daily Record, this was going to cover part of Brown’s big-money salary.
Whilst the FFA are apparently keen for Melbourne to get the deal done, they won’t provide financial assistance for it. The marquee player fund held by the FFA requires applications by clubs for financial assistance.
Melbourne Victory are the only club to have received assistance in the past when they signed Keisuke Honda. It looks as though, however, that their city rivals won’t have that same benefit.
It’s difficult to predict whether Melbourne will come back in with another offer. Brown has already turned one contract down, and must be tempted to stay at Celtic for 10-in-a-row.
The Hoops legend has a contract on the table from the Parkhead side. It’s a tad worrying that Brown has yet to accept it, but it appears that he’s just keeping his options open.
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Melbourne, however, may not have the required finances to pull off the deal. Considering the fact that they’re the only club to make a formal offer for his services, this is a good sign for Celtic fans.
We explained last month why it was unfair to accuse Brown of being “finished”. After a prolonged spell out on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, it was always going to be difficult for the captain to be at top form as soon as he returned.
Brown was also lambasted for his display at Ibrox. In truth, however, Olivier Ntcham alongside him was much worse on the day.
In total, Brown has won eight Scottish Premierships, four Scottish Cups, and four League Cups at Celtic. He’s also helped the club reach the last-16 of the Champions League on two occasions.
His status at the club is unquestionable, and a desire to keep him should be just as unquestionable.
Here’s hoping that this blow for Melbourne puts an end to any interest in Celtic’s trophy-laden hero.