New Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin today addressed speculation about Celtic legend Scott Brown’s links to the vacant St Mirren post and insisted he still considers him as a Dons player.
Brown is said to have been granted permission by Aberdeen to speak to St Mirren after Goodwin moved the other way this weekend.
Although hoping to have him as a midfield option moving forward, the new Dons boss’ comments on the coaching situation at Pittodrie suggest Brown may not be that involved with day-to-day training.
As quoted by The Scottish Sun, he said after today’s 1-1 draw with Motherwell: “I had a brief conversation with Scott on Friday. I said I am looking forward to meeting him on Monday at the training centre and that’s where we are at.
“I know there’s speculation but I don’t know anything about it. Right now, I am planning on Scott being a player for me between now and the end of the season.
“His title is there as player-coach. I am very hands-on on the training pitch and I haven’t had time to look at the structure but I take the majority of sessions backed up by my assistant Lee Sharp.
“These are all conversations going forward but for now Scott remains an Aberdeen player until somebody tells me different.”
There are plenty of other names in the frame including Steven Naismith and Jack Ross. BBC Radio Scotland suggested earlier today [14:15] Naismith was the frontrunner for the post in Paisley.
If Brown doesn’t have a coaching future in Aberdeen you’d imagine he’d seriously consider what he wants over the next 14 months of his contract. He did arrive with the intention of learning the ropes on the training ground.
A step up to a full managerial role in the Scottish Premiership would be a big move but the former Celtic captain has obviously shown strong leadership throughout his career.
A situation to watch closely!
In other news, Remembering Mark McGhee’s box-office Celtic job comments ahead of Sunday return.
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