Celtic return to domestic action this weekend against Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.
The Hoops are back at Celtic Park after a 1-1 draw against Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League, where new signings Michel-Ange Balikwisha, Sebastian Tounekti and Kelechi Iheanacho will play in front of the home faithful for the first time.
With Hearts in action against Falkirk the day before, Brendan Rodgers knows that the pressure could be on to return to the top of the Scottish Premiership table.
Hibernian and Celtic have plenty of history in terms of the Irish connections both sides have, but also in terms of player personnel.
Scott Brown is the most high-profile example and although Celtic are almost impossible to turn down, there was one promise that clinched it.
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Gordon Strachan promised Scott Brown he would be crucial for Celtic
Gordon Strachan put his faith in Brown by parting with £4.4m to take him away from Easter Road in 2007.
It was a healthy fee at the time, but he repaid it and more by winning pretty much everything there is to win in Scotland.
Brown admitted that it wasn’t a difficult decision to leave after Strachan promised him that he would be the focal point of the team.
He told World Football Index in 2024: “Gordon Strachan and Peter Lawwell were incredible with me and the whole situation around my arrival.
“I always knew what was happening from their side and they knew what was happening from my side.
“They told me that they wanted to build the team around me which was amazing to hear.”
Notable players who have played for Hibernian and Celtic
A number of players have followed similar paths to Brown and played for both Hibs and Celtic.
Among the others are the likes of Neil Lennon and Jackie McNamara, as well as Kris Commons.
More recent icons include defender Efe Ambrose and John Collins, who was the manager of Hibs when Brown moved to the Bhoys.
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