Having Scott Brown in your corner

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Over the weekend, Erik Sviatchenko spoke about Scott Brown as Celtic’s “fine minister” as the captain had authority to fine players who broke discipline.  In Erik’s instance, it was lateness.  Scott Brown has been Celtic’s first line of discipline since Neil Lennon’s first period in charge.  Young players were led by example, as more experienced players were given clear guidance of what was expected from them as a Celtic player.

Reprimanding a player for hitching a ride on a buggy intended for an injured colleague, as I once witnessed, requires oceans of respect from players and coaches alike.  This takes pressure off the manager, who can ration his use of discipline for more select matters, when its rarity has more effect.

Controlling a squad of several dozen well-paid athletes is a challenge when results are not going your way and there are campaigns against the manager.  Players cultivate all the wrong feelings when reading social media and pester their agents.  At these times, the manager’s voice can lose effect.  Scott Brown could not prevent our collapse this season but you do not need to think too hard to figure how heavily Neil Lennon and John Kennedy have relied on him.  Not that you will hear any of this from Scott.  I would have him in my corner before anyone else in football.

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395 Comments

  1. I echo what Drew67 says SB a true legend who I hope to see back in some managerial/coaching role at paradise in the future.

     

     

    D :)

  2. It’s a huge challenge for the club to replace three such hugely important people with so much experience of winning at Celtic at the same time

     

     

    With the lack of continuity at the club it makes it even more important that we find the right person as manager. Critical moment for us.

  3. CELTIC40ME

     

     

    Ye def agree with that.Seems that CalMac getting touted by ex players and managers..no sure about CalMac myself..and surely its down to our new manager who he prefers..might buy a captain.

  4. I would have him in my corner before anyone else in football.

     

    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

     

     

    Paul, why in the name of God are we letting him leave?

  5. Scott Brown has been a towering figure at Celtic. He will know only too well that a different challenge & reconstruction lie in front of our club. He has done his bit – it is time for new blood. I wish him well & I’m sure that barring a serious injury, he will play for Aberdeen for the next two seasons.

     

     

    Celtic is now at the crossroads after, let’s be honest, nine years of having it relatively easy domestically. There will be trial & error over the next few seasons.

     

     

    Will our new manager be given the same time as was afforded to Gerrard – will the supporters wait for three years for success – I think not!

     

     

    There will be no capacity crowds at any football grounds next season and therefore from our point of view, revenue, like this season, will be down again. We will go into next season with little, or, no, reserves in the bank, and our financial model, unlike that of Ibrox, will as always, be based on the sustainability of earned income.

     

     

    ‘Marquee’ managers require a promise of ‘real money’ to fashion a successful squad…and of course to protect their reputation and CV. I simply don’t see where that ‘real money’ will come from and therefore I do not expect a ‘marquee’ manager.

     

     

    We will sell players, but will get less than some imagine – the market will be covid-depressed and our three main saleable assets are in the final year of their contracts.

     

     

    We are now used to setting our horizons low when competing in Europe, we may have to do likewise domestically over the next few years.

  6. Jimmy

     

     

    “Poor Celtic are somewhere in the middle with unique challenges which makes player or mgt recruitment so difficult.”

     

     

    There aren’t levels to this, just challenges that are unique to each club when they look to appoint a new coach.

     

     

    For example, you ask why Celtic can’t appoint a coach who can be 20 points ahead of their nearest rival, but you’ve forgotten about the two seasons when he won nothing and was looking at ending last season with a similar gap. The Huns got to this point by taking a gamble on someone with no one experience, paying him more than our manager and sticking by him when he was failing badly. There’s absolutely no way we’d put up with that sort of gamble and abject failure for two seasons

  7. It must be down to poor Norwegian coaching

     

     

    or is it he is just a poor centre back that can’t jump.

  8. Broonie’s out of contract at the end of the season. We’ve clearly tried to get him to stay but if he wants to leave why and how would you make him?

  9. Paul67

     

     

    Was Ismaila Soro not hailed as a breath of fresh air on here, when he replaced Scott Brown late last season? Did we not read ad nausea that Scott’s legs were gone, three seasons ago?

     

     

    He’s not ready to hang up his boots so a playing contract for a 36 year old will be of a certain financial limit, even for Celtic.

     

     

    Besides great players don’t always automatically become great coaches, let him go and bring him back when the time may be right.

     

     

    A new broom is required at Celtic, that includes new club captaincy.

  10. !!Bada Bing!! on

    SCULLYBHOY- his contract up in June, he was free to talk to other clubs, but as I said,he will get more experience as a No2 quicker than being a No 4 or 5 in the new set up. HH

  11. Garngad to Croy on

    Seems a waste to let Scott Brown cut his teeth at Aberdeen. He should be part of the Celtic coaching set up, along with Jack Ross, Jim Goodwin and Stevie Friel. I am sure the club could better the salaries they earn elsewhere.

  12. JHB,

     

     

    I disagree.

     

    More than ever we need a top class manager.

     

    There are various revenue streams for us, particularly if we have success.

     

     

    CL money.

     

    Stadium naming rights.

     

    Sell Lennoxtown town and develop Barrowfield in conjunction with the Emirates. Sell tickets for training, woman’s games and ” reserve” games.

     

    Another share issue.

     

    Utilise our fantastic Stadium and surroundings with a variety of varied events, especially during the summer months.

     

    Revitalise our pools. Bring it into the 21st century with an easy to use, modern and fun format.

     

    Launch local partnerships with mutual reward.

     

    Bring Celtic to the people outwith these Islands. Utilise, commercialise and expand the brand in countries like the USA. Employ intutious merchandise techniques and revolutionise Celtic TV.

     

    Persuade DD to ” subsidise” marquee players wages like he has done with Robbie Keane, Craig Bellamy, Roy Keane and Henrick.

     

     

    Explore the feasibility of persuading DD’ s influential friends to come on board.

     

     

    All of the above assumes we do not see a change in leagues and I’m sure Dominac McKay will have all these ideas and more on his radar.

     

    We did not head hunt him for nothing.

     

     

    HH.

  13. The Hammond / Lennon windows

     

     

    August 2019:

     

     

    Jullien: mehhh

     

    Bolingoli: fail

     

    El Hamed: fail

     

    Forster: pass

     

    Elyounoussi: fail

     

    Taylor: fail

     

    Frimpong: pass

     

     

    January 2020:

     

     

    Patryk Klimala: fail

     

    Ismaila Soro: potential

     

     

    August 2020:

     

     

    Barkas: fail

     

    Ajeti: fail

     

    Turnbull: potential

     

    Duffy: fail

     

    Laxalt: fail

     

     

    January 2021

     

     

    Kenny: fail

     

     

    Only one outstanding signing, in four windows and he went back to Southampton.

  14. CELTIC40ME on 29TH MARCH 2021 2:23 PM

     

    Broonie’s out of contract at the end of the season. We’ve clearly tried to get him to stay but if he wants to leave why and how would you make him?

     

     

     

    ###

     

     

    Perhaps the vituperative abuse heaped on a former captain by large sections of the support influenced his decision to leave.

  15. BSR,

     

     

    Some waste of money on that list. Addressing that issue is perhaps our biggest revenue stream.

     

     

    That is why a top class proven managerial team c/ w scouts is vital

     

     

    HH.

  16. GREENPINTA @ 2:40

     

     

    You make many common sense suggestions and I’m sure I & many others will view them carefully.

     

     

    I agree that there is the need for ‘creative thinking’, and credit to you, you are being creative.

     

     

    Can I touch in just one point – CL money. Our ‘friends’ at Ibrox have been striving for this ‘holy grail’ ever since their new club played its first game against Brechin & was still called Sevco. To them this is the OPPORTUNITY they have been waiting for – the reason that their well-heeled supporters have pumped in c£100m (inc this season) over the past eight years in return for multi-million ‘confetti shares’. I anticipate very little player movement, in, or, out, at Ibrox in the coming season – they will want continuity to seize this OPPORTUNITY. In my opinion their mid-term goal is to sell the club when the time is right – being back in the CL is a massive step in that direction.

     

     

    Celtic, as we know to our cost, seem to see the CL, not as an opportunity, but a GAMBLE. The reasoning being – what if we sign top players and fail to make the group stages. We have seen this repeatedly over the years – time and again we are completely unprepared for the qualifiers when they come round.

     

     

    I therefore cannot see in these difficult times, DD & the board performing a volte-face and doing what they have never done before – that would be too much of a GAMBLE.

  17. GENE on 29TH MARCH 2021 1:12 PM

     

     

    Any news on the sevco covid breakers or are the SFA waiting on slippy’s decision

     

     

    Could they be awaiting the outcome of a fitness test on Mr Tavernier?

  18. Brendan Rodgers / Lee Congerton

     

     

    Dembele pass

     

    Kolo Toure pass

     

    Sinclair ; pass

     

    De Vries fail

     

    Gamboa : fail

     

    Kouassi fail

     

    Hayes : pass

     

    Benyu : fail

     

    Ntcham : fail

     

    Roberts : pass

     

    Edouard : pass

     

    Morgan : fail

     

    Compper : fail

     

    Musonda : fail

     

    Bain : pass

     

    Hendry : fail

     

    Izaguirre ; fail

     

    Arzani : fail

     

    Shved fail

     

    Mulumbu : fail

     

    Burke : fail

     

    Weah : fail

     

    Bayo ; fail

     

    Benkovic ; fail

     

     

    IMO CSC

  19. Very refreshing tae read fitba news today as opposed tae the SNP v Alba of yesterday.

     

     

    However, since this is Holy Week and tae put a wee bit of non fitba on here as we do every year at this time when does Lent end.

     

     

    Now I’m one that had went fae noon Holy Saturday tae midnight and back again depending on who sat on the throne at the Vatican.

     

     

    Several years ago we had a PP who went on tae be Bishop of Kingston and the Isle, in fact a successor tae Glengarry’s Father MacDonnell he of Sacred Heart Brigton fame, and he changed my view on the Lent finale.

  20. As a Vale man you will be aware of the Dumbarton rule that Lent ends at noon (?) on Holy Saturday, allowing penitent but thirsty Sons of the Rock to slake their thirst after a long six weeks of abstinence.

  21. As well as Scott Brown, we surely must recognise the amazing contribution of Peter Lawwell. No one can deny the success both on and off the park that he has overseen.

     

     

    I know that there are those who hate him, however there are those who never really took to Scott Brown(maybe the same folk), for what we all know are reasons based on stupidity.

     

     

    Lawwell cannot be blamed for lack of success, or, his marketing brilliance, however he can be held accountable , quite reasonably, for sometimes lacking in ‘on the field’ ambition and not making the most of clear opportunities when they presented themselves.

     

     

    However we know that DD is the top man – PL worked for him – so how do we know that Dominic McKay will act differently in similar situations?

     

     

    It would be reasonable to assume that DMcK is heavily involved in the new manager and DoF process(if indeed there is to be one) – so if we don’t get the ‘marquee’ appointment that so many want, will the new man start off being labelled Lawwell Mk2?

     

     

    I’m sure if Dominic achieves half of what Peter has, he will consider himself a roaring success.

  22. BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 29TH MARCH 2021 3:24 PM

     

     

    Probably fairly accurate but how many of them can be put down to Rodgers/Congerton?

     

     

    We know for a fact Shved wasn’t a Rodgers signing so it makes me wonder how many of them were his.

  23. Geebee

     

    I suppose by the same token we don’t know who were Lenny / Hammond signings 🤔

  24. Geebee1978

     

     

    According to Celtic folklore, all of the successful ones were BR signings of course, and the fails somebody else’s fault..

     

     

    When you can’t buy established players, because of the differentiations in wage structure between big league verse wee diddy league, you’re instantly put in a difficult market of ‘punt’ and hope it comes good. Maryan Shved was a punt who’d already flopped outside of Ukraine, before he tried Glasgow.

     

     

    The calls for a DOF might modernise the club, but could also just give CQN and elsewhere someone else to blame, so I hope we get a good one.