JOHN KENNEDY admits Scott Brown will be greatly missed when he leaves Celtic in the summer.
There will be an emotional farewell to the 35-year-old skipper who will quit the Hoops after 14 years in which he has won a monumental TWENTY-TWO honours and, of course, could add to that with the Scottish Cup still up for grabs,
Brown has led the side to a record-breaking four successive triumphs in the national competition and completed the phenomenal quadruple treble with the penalty-kick shoot-out over Hearts in the silverware showdown five days before Christmas.
The Hoops hero is on his way to Aberdeen after agreeing a two-year contract to become player-coach alongside his former Hibs team-mate Stephen Glass, who was named Dons boss earlier this week.
HEADING FOR SUCCESS…Scott Brown dives to put Celtic into the lead against Kilmarnock last month.
Kennedy insisted the motivational captain is the perfect example of what every professional should strive for at Parkhead.
The interim gaffer, speaking to the club website, said: “Scott Brown has been a terrific captain and leader of the group. He’ll be irreplaceable in terms of what he gives us on a daily basis, his drive to be successful and how he leads the group by example every single day.
“It’s very difficult to replace that, but in terms of what he’s given us, with his attitude and application is second to none.
“He’s the guy coaches can always look to in order to take some of the burden off other players. You always know Scott’s there and every match day you hear him before games and you hear him on the pitch.
“He drives the training forward every day. He’s a massive character, a huge personality and he’s been a massive part of this club for so long and he’ll certainly be missed.”
LIONHEART’S ROAR…Scott Brown is congratulated by Odsonne Edouard after his opening goal in the 4-0 win at Rugby Park.
Kennedy continued: “I’d love to have had more time with him and seen him bring more success to the club, but it’s his own personal decision and we have to respect that. He’s given so much of his life to us and we wish him all the best moving forward.
“He’s one of the greats of this club, that’s without doubt, and that’ll only grow as time passes. He’s a huge part of the club and he always will be in my eyes.
“He’s very much focused on his playing and finishing well here. In terms of his attributes, he’s very coach-like in terms of how he conducts himself and the way he leads by example and behaves himself.
“That’s a part of coaching as well so he has a great base there to be a great coach.”
THE QUADRUPLE TREBLE…Scott Brown with the 2020 Scottish Cup – his 22nd honour as a Celt.
Former club and country centre-half Kennedy added: “With young players, they might have the talent, but that alone isn’t enough to be successful. It comes down to attitude and application. I remember Scott as a young player at Hibs and his desire on the pitch was outstanding.
“When you see him up close, you realise that desire he brings on a matchday is there every day in training. His unselfishness to make others better, as well as himself, is an outstanding quality to have and it’s why he’s been the captain of this club for so long.
“He’s a massive part of why this club has been so successful.
“He doesn’t do things for his own benefit. Scott is very much a guy who does everything for the benefit of the team and the club.
“The way he leads on a daily basis, the way he leads in the dressing room and how he performs on the pitch is all for the team to be successful.”
