PAUL LAMBERT has hailed Scott Brown as the Celtic skipper writes his name into the football record books.
The Hoops powerhouse became the Scot to hit 83 games in European competition when he ran the show in last week’s 4-0 triumph over Linfield.
Brendan Rodgers’ team now face Rosenborg in the Champions League third round first leg qualifier at Parkhead in midweek.
The aim is to at least emulate the last campaign when the treble-winners reached the group stages for the first time in three years after two successive failures under Ronny Deila.
Former captain Lambert, who won the European Cup with Borussia Dortmund, believes it is the player’s desire to perform at the top that has fuelled the position in which he finds himself now.
He said: “You need a thick skin to play at Celtic. To have done it for a decade takes some doing.
“You need to be a big player to be able to fill the jersey at Celtic and to have that longevity, to be able to keep winning, to keep putting yourself out there says so much about his own ambition.
“There will be people who tell you they were Celtic players and live off an association with the club – but who were actually there for two minutes.
“To do it season after season and at the top level is impressive because it is a club where you don’t hide.
“You don’t get away with not playing at your best, with not winning things.
“I am not surprised that he has become the record holder in terms of the number of European games he has played because over the years he has shown leadership qualities, but has also been integral to the club.
“He has thrived in an environment in which you don’t prove yourself and then sit back – you need to prove it again and again which is what makes the achievement so impressive.
“You can only admire that because it is the mark of a top player.”
