Scott Brown is a Celtic legend. The skipper has won everything there is to win in Scottish football, and has done so more than once. He has a trophy cabinet that many Hoops players will struggle to emulate.
Celtic have undergone a resurgence since Brown has dropped out the squad with a calf strain. Concerns have come from parts of the Parkhead faithful that an inform star will be dropped to accommodate the midfielder.
Brown is 33 now, and fans are aware his time at the club will be over sooner rather than later. The Scottish Sun have reported that MLS sides Minnesota United and Sporting Kansas City are interested in the veteran midfielder. Celtic can’t lose their influential captain just yet however.
Brown allows other players to perform
The Celtic captain will undoubtedly have a tough task to get back into this Celtic side. His absence has allowed Ryan Christie to burst onto the scene. It has also permitted Callum McGregor to reinvent himself in Brown’s vacant position. However, despite these impressive performances, the midfielder should still get back into Brendan Rodgers’ squad.
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He has a leadership quality and determination to win. These traits have rubbed off on his teammates, which has inspired Celtic to the illustrious double treble.
There are concerns Celtic will become slower when the 33-year old returns. Brown will have the chance to dispel these concerns on his return. Whilst he is perhaps slower than McGregor, he allows creative players like Tom Rogic and James Forrest to express themselves, with his dogged style of play.
The Celtic legend allows Oliver Ntcham to put his stamp on the game, something which McGregor isn’t able to do. Brown is able to fight for every ball, allowing Ntcham to clean up and drive the ball forward for Celtic. The skipper would change the way Celtic attack yes, but it wouldn’t be any less deadly.
Brown is Rodgers’ right-hand man
The skipper’s absence hasn’t been felt as much as previous seasons. Celtic have struggled in years gone by when the midfielder was out the team. Now that Brown has retired from international duty, his only focus will be Celtic, which is huge for Rodgers.
The Celtic boss looks to Brown for leadership on the park, and has reaped the rewards of this, in the two and a half years he has spent at the club.
Brown is a massive loss for Celtic, no matter how they are playing. It would be unfair on the midfielder to say that Celtic are playing better because he isn’t there. If Brown does decide to go, rest assured, his loss will be felt on and off the park.