SCOTT BROWN’S 14-year derby excursion ended in misery at Ibrox yesterday.
The Celtic skipper, who was playing in his 44th encounter against the Govan club, had hoped to bring down the curtain on his appearances in this fixture with a bang, but, sadly, it ended in a whimper.
Possibly the occasion overcame the 35-year-old midfielder, who will be heading for Aberdeen in the summer, but it was far from his finest hour in a green-and-white jersey.
Unfortunately, he looked off the pace and was nutmegged before Alfredo Morelos thrashed in the second goal to put the home side ahead again shortly after Odsonne Edouard had nodded in the leveller for the Hoops who had to play for 65 minutes with 10 men following Callum McGregor’s red card.
Brown was unwittingly involved in the third in the 57th minute when he allowed Kemar Roofe to run off him before heading in with ease and three minutes later the old warhorse was replaced by Ismaila Soro.
Interim manager John Kennedy, however, was full of praise for the veteran’s contributions and, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “He won’t be judged on that. It’s not his fault. He can’t do much about it.
“He has come here plenty of times and won. He’s won many, many more trophies than a lot of people on the pitch.
“Scott has had a terrific time at Celtic. This shouldn’t be any sort of mark against him.”
Brown is likely to play his last game as a Hoops performer at Parkhead in the match against St Johnstone a week on Wednesday and say his final farewell against former club Hibs at Easter Road three days later.
McGREGOR OFF AS FATE TAKES OVER
