NEIL LENNON admitted it would have been a disaster if Scott Brown had left Celtic.
As the Hoops boss celebrated his 48th birthday on the same day as his skipper turned 35, the committed double-act are preparing for a tilt at the magical ten successive titles.
Two years ago, Brown was linked with Australian club Western Melbourne FC who were putting together a lavish long-term contract to lure him from the east end of Glasgow.
However, the inspirational onfield leader rejected the offer to start again in Oz and signed an extension with the champions as he said at the time he had “gone with his heart” to remain at Scotland’s title kings.
Lennon also revealed he hopes to keep the powerhouse anchorman at the club as a coach after he retires from playing.
Brown has been a key figure for the Parkhead outfit since arriving in a £4.4million switch from Hibs in 2007 and Lennon, as reported in CQN, said: “I wasn’t here at the time, but when I heard the talk about him possibly going to Australia, I thought it would have been a disaster.
“As far as I am concerned, when he stops playing there will be a coaching role for Scott here at the club. I would offer him something straight away.
“For me, it is the obvious path for him in the future.
“He is doing his badges at the minute and I would definitely want him around the place when he stops playing.”
Brown picked up his 21st winners’ medal when the champions were awarded their ninth successive title after the season was called to a premature halt due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Hoops led the Premiership by 13 points with eight games to play when football was forced into cold storage in mid-March.
