NEIL LENNON has heaped praise upon skipper Scott Brown who will take Celtic into tonight’s Premiership confrontation with St Mirren at Parkhead.
The 34-year-old midfielder has been leading from the front since his £4.4million arrival from Hibs in the summer of 2007.
The Hoops are aiming for another emphatic win to follow the 4-0 destruction of Aberdeen on Sunday and the 6-0 rout of Ross County the previous week as they eye nine in a row. At the moment they are top on goal difference from Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox side with both on 25 points.
Lennon, speaking to Sky Sports, said: “There has been a great maturity and Scott has evolved his game into a really top sort of holding midfield player, where he’s reading the game, covering the ground and breaking up attacks and prompting attacks.
“His leadership qualities are invaluable. It’s immeasurable to put into words the contribution that he’s made over the last 10/12 years.
PRIZE GUY…Scott Brown parades the Premiership title – the club’s eighth in a row – before the 7-0 opening day league triumph over St Johnstone.
“And he’s still, at 34, playing as well as ever and I think that’s testament to his professionalism and his dedication.
“It not easy. It’s not easy playing here, and certainly not easy being the captain here for the length of time he has been here because it’s a huge responsibility.
“But he’s grown into that role. In my first time as manager here, he was a great role model for a lot of the younger players and he’s even more so now.”
The Irishman is convinced the former Scotland international captain has the qualities to make it as a manager when he retires from playing, something he achieved following over 300 games for the club.
Lennon added: “I don’t see why not with the career that he’s had and the experiences he’s gained.
“He’s currently doing his coaching badges so it’s the next logical step for him.
“Football’s been his life and certainly Celtic has played a huge part in that as well, so I don’t see why not.
“The players all look to him, respect him, listen to him and he sets the tone for the rest of the squad.”
Brown has won an amazing NINETEEN medals since his big-money arrival from Easter Road and has insisted he is not finished just yet.
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