{"id":7318,"date":"2015-06-23T23:08:26","date_gmt":"2015-06-23T22:08:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=7318"},"modified":"2015-06-23T23:13:12","modified_gmt":"2015-06-23T22:13:12","slug":"scott-brown-a-celtic-legend-in-the-making","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=7318","title":{"rendered":"Scott Brown – A Celtic Legend In The Making"},"content":{"rendered":"

It was Pele who is credited with coining the term \u201cThe beautiful game\u201d when referring to football.<\/p>\n

For many of us those three words bring to the forefront of our minds the more aesthetically pleasing parts of the sport. A magical Messi run as he glides past five opponents before delicately lifting the ball over the keeper into the back of the net. Pirlo effortlessly moving across the pitch as he plays pass and move football in tune with a choir of angels or watching Nakamura curl, at pace, a 30 yard free kick past the despairing dive of Van Der Saar into the top corner of the net.<\/p>\n

All beautiful memories.<\/p>\n

There are also many elements of \u201cThe beautiful game\u201d that while not as exciting or eye catching are completely fundamental to the success of the vast majority of teams.<\/p>\n

Workrate, fitness, energy, combativeness, selflessness, passion, desire and leadership.<\/p>\n

When a player displays not one, but all of those traits, they may not get the critical acclaim from all of the watching public but to their colleagues and management team they are worth their weight in Gold.<\/p>\n

Step forward Scott Brown.<\/p>\n

\u201cBroony\u201d as he\u2019s more commonly known would be the first to admit he\u2019s not blessed with the technique and awareness of Pirlo, Iniesta or Xavi (not many are!) but rather than focus on what he cannot do, it\u2019s what he can do that makes him in my mind the most important player at Celtic football club.<\/p>\n

When Broony arrived from Hibs it would be fair to say there was a mixed reaction, certainly among the online community. Paper talk and the words of his ex-Hibs team-mate Kevin Thomson had Broony strongly lined with a summer transfer to Rangers only for Gordon Strachan to step in and pinch him in a \u00a34.4m internal Scottish transfer record deal that came as a surprise to many. The Rangers \u2018link\u2019 clearly got under the skin of some and Broony could do no right for a small but fairly vociferous group. His case wasn\u2019t helped when his omission from the first team for the final games of the 2007\/08 season allowed Barry Robson and Paul Hartley to play integral roles as they drove Celtic to their third League championship in succession.<\/p>\n

The fact Broony was only 22 was neither here nor there \u2013 many, not most, would not have been disappointed to see him sold on such was their negative views towards him.<\/p>\n

Broony\u2019s early time at Celtic wasn\u2019t helped when he suffered a personal tragedy that put everything into perspective when his young sister Fiona sadly died of cancer aged only 21.<\/p>\n

That period and what has happened since has made one thing very clear – Scott Brown is a fighter.<\/p>\n

In my view the true emergence of Broony occurred during the reign of Neil Lennon allied to Broony maturing…slightly!<\/p>\n

\"Broony<\/a><\/p>\n

Lenny\u2019s onfield character was similar to Broony in many ways with that snarling, fighting attitude that winds up the opposition players and fans alike and there appeared to be a kindred spirit for Broony to relate to. Lenny\u2019s first full season saw Broony finally living up to the high expectations many had for him. The talent was there but the consistency was missing, albeit a large part of that can be attributed to the many injuries he picked up, one in particular in the Champions League v Benfica when an appalling challenge from Binya could have ended Broony\u2019s career.<\/p>\n

\"Broony<\/a><\/p>\n

While Broony\u2019s performance levels increased there was one hurdle to overcome \u2013 that connection with some of the fans. That all changed on February 6th<\/sup> 2011…..<\/p>\n

In a hard fought Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox, Celtic were down to ten men and trailing by one goal at half time. Celtic came out and totally dominated the second half earning a 2-2 draw thanks to a wonderful left foot curling effort from Broony. That goal in itself was special but the icing on the cake, the part that made everyone go \u201cGet fcuken in there Son\u201d was immediately after his goal. Scott turned round and who should be standing next to him but the appalling El Hadji Diouf. Scott stared him in the eye, lifted his arms and did the now iconic \u201cBroony\u201d pose right in his face. That image is right up there for a generation of Celtic supporters and in my view created a bond with Scott and the fans that gets stronger by the year. Funnily enough Scott was booked by the referee for his actions and commented in a later interview that the yellow card was the \u201cbest of my life\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"Broony<\/a><\/p>\n

Magic!<\/p>\n

As Scott\u2019s performance levels increased it became apparent to me just how vital a player he is to Celtic. There\u2019s an energy and galvanising impact he brings to those around him and his self drive and will to win is infectious as his commitment to put his body on the line for his team. Broony is one of the first to confront opponents after a bad challenge on his team-mates and it can normally be noted that at a future time within the ninety minutes some form of retribution within the laws of the game (sic!) will be meted out by the captain to send a clear marker that his team won\u2019t take any shite.<\/p>\n

While the \u2018street\u2019 aspect of Scott\u2019s game is still a vital element within Scottish fitba capturing physical and verbal aspects that are still very rife in our football culture, it\u2019s important not to underestimate one other critical component that makes Scott Brown our most vital player.<\/p>\n

Leadership.<\/p>\n

Roy Aitken was a successful Celtic captain. It would also be fair to say that \u2018The Bear\u2019 was a fine player but nowhere near the most gifted in the Celtic teams he captained. What made Roy Aitken stand out was an insatiable will to win. An inner drive that pushed him to get the best not only out of himself but crucially \u2013 also of those around about him. Roy was a leader of men. A man with a quite shite haircut who would also be the first down the football trenches if required. Scott Brown is of similar mould, including crap hair!<\/p>\n

Broony\u2019s energy as he covers every blade of grass, cajoling, encouraging and demanding the best from his team-mates is primarily noticeable when he\u2019s not playing. Take a note of this the next time he\u2019s injured or suspended. His drive and desire is quite fundamental to Celtic and is a major catalyst for those round about him. The Lennon snarl, the Lambert point to push on, the mad guy doon the Barras stare….all key components of a player who gets better every year.<\/p>\n

The one area of his game I feel we should be getting more out of him in an attacking sense. There\u2019s skill and goals there and Ronny clearly sees this as he mentioned he wants to see his captain getting forward far more, something we seen as the season progressed.<\/p>\n

Broony\u2019s performances haven\u2019t gone unnoticed and Celtic have received many offers for his services primarily from English PremierLeague clubs but every one refused (to date) by a guy who loves life in Scotland with his family, friends and playing for his team….oh you better believe it is now. Scott Brown vitally now completely \u2018gets\u2019 Celtic. His involvement in supporting many charitable causes (John Thomson memorial, foodbank collections etc) related to Celtic and now active support of coaching the younger age groups with little prompting shows a complete embrace of the values treasured by Celtic supporters. He\u2019s one of the key people who now welcomes new players to the club and shares with them the importance of the club, what it stands for and what it means to Celtic supporters all over the world.<\/p>\n

Scott Brown seems like he has been around for an eternity and yet \u2018only\u2019 turns 30 this week (June 25th<\/sup>).<\/p>\n

Broony has been at Celtic for 8 years, made 328 appearances and scored 33 goals. His role of honour includes 5 League Championships (4 as captain), 2 Scottish Cups, 2 League Cups and participation in the last 16 of the Champions League on two occasions.<\/p>\n

\"Broony<\/a><\/p>\n

When it comes to fitness it\u2019s widely regarded within the club that his fitness is \u201cunbelievable\u201d and there\u2019s every reason to believe, injuries aside, he\u2019ll be a regular first team starter for the next five years. By that point Scott Brown will have considerably more honours and quite probably made well over 500 appearances for Celtic. To put this in context, only 10 Celts have ever played in excess of 500 games for Celtic. This will elate Broony into legendary status…no bad for a wee guy fae Fife….ken!<\/p>\n

Scott Brown was not born a Celtic supporter. However, he cherishes everything about our great club and will be a Celtic man for the rest of his days\u2026.and quite probably a Celtic legend.<\/p>\n

Broony….Broony…..Broony!<\/p>\n

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