The way that Celtic captain Scott Brown approached the 3-1 Europa League win over Rennes on Thursday night was intriguing.
He went into the game knowing that if he received a yellow card he would be suspended for the last group stage game against Cluj next month.
After a couple of tough challenges, Brown was eventually booked in the second-half and will miss the trip to Romania, which is a dead rubber for the Hoops who have won the group already.
Brown deserves only praise, and not criticism for his approach to the game. There is no need for him to take part in a meaningless game for the Hoops in the middle of a nine match December for Celtic.
Can focus attention on derby cup final
Brown’s suspension could also have a knock-on effect on next Sunday’s Betfred Cup Final against Rangers. Celtic’s first game after the cup final is the trip to Cluj. Now that Brown will not be featuring in that game, he can focus all his attention on the Glasgow derby.
Brown will be vital for Celtic in the Hampden Park clash. He will be tasked with winning the midfield battle as he has done in those fixtures so many times before.
Played well despite booking
Brown actually played well against Rennes, as a makeshift Celtic side without Odsonne Edouard kept the Hoops’ nine match winning run going.
There must be a chance that winning run will come to an end against Cluj. However, there are three vitally important matches before that game, which will be Celtic’s focus of attention.
Brown is coming towards the end of his Celtic career, and as such needs to take care of his fitness more than many of his younger team-mates. The Hoops skipper can now enjoy a rest when Celtic play Cluj and conserve his energy for the battles that lie ahead domestically for the Scottish champions.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
