IT would have been a disaster if Scott Brown had left Celtic, insists manager Neil Lennon.
Two years ago, the inspirational Hoops skipper 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, 34-year-old Brown 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 has been delighted with the consistency of the former Scotland international captain and 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, He played a crucial role in securing an eighth successive crown and an historic treble treble.
The action man followed that up by making 50 first-team appearances as the team chased a fourth domestic clean sweep before the coronavirus shutdown disrupted the current campaign.
Gaffer Lennon, speaking to the Sunday Herald, 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.”
