FLASHBACK: HOW BROONY ROLLED BACK THE YEARS

SCOTT BROWN rolled back the years at Hampden last night – almost five to be exact.

The Celtic skipper walloped in a double as the champions overwhelmed Hibs 5-2 in a thrilling Betfred League Cup semi-final triumph at Hampden.

Brown added two second-half goals to the brace claimed by Mohamed Elyounoussi and the single from Callum McGregor in the opening 45 minutes to seal a fourth successive place in the competition’s Final at the national stadium on December 8.

Remarkably, it was the 34-year-old midfielder’s first double since a 4-1 league win over St Mirren at Parkhead on Saturday December 14 2014. Ronny Deila was manager at the time and the victory over the Paisley outfit moved the Hoops six points clear at the top of the table on their way to a fourth consecutive championship success.

Brown was in a rush that particular afternoon as he scored his first goal in the fourth minute and added a second 14 minuts later. In between, James Forrest added the second and Anthony Stokes completed the scoring in the 67th minute. The visitors’ consolation effort was grabbed by Sean Kelly.

There have been a few changes at Celtic since that day. The line-up was: Craig Gordon; Adam Matthews, Efe Ambrose, Virgil Van Dijk, Emilio Izaguirre; Scott Brown, Nir Bitton (sub: Liam Henderson 69), Stefan Johansen; James Forrest (sub: Callum McGregor 46), Anthony Stokes, John Guidetti (sub: Stefan Scepovic 59). Unused subs: Lukasz Zaluska, Darnell Fisher, Kris Commons and Leigh Griffiths.

CQN‘S ace lensmen were at Celtic Park back in December 2014 and they were at Hampden last night to capture the historic moments in Scott Brown’s extraordinary career as the team’s onfield leader. 

WALLOP…Scott Brown fires in the first of his double against St Mirren in December 2014. The Paisley defender getting a good view is Jim Goodwin, the club’s current manager.

HOOP HOOP HOORAY…Scott Brown celebrates his strike with the fans.

THAT’S MY BHOY…Scott Brown is congratulated by Virgil Van Dijk.

KISSES…Scott Brown looks happy as Virgil Van Dijk, Adam Matthews, James Forrest, Nir Bitton and John Guidetti celbrate his second goal.

AS TIME GOES BY…Scott Brown celebrates his first goal against Hibs last night with Kristoffer Ajer, Tom Rogic and Christopher Jullien joining in.

HAPPY DAZE…Christopher Jullien, bandaged after a first-half knock, congratulates his skipper.

WHAM…Scott Brown thumps the fifth goal beyond keeper Chris Maxwell.

HEAVENS ABOVE…Scott Brown looks skyward as his double fires Celtic into another Hampden Cup Final.