BIRTH OF THE BROONIE

Ex-celt Ledley recalls THAT moment of magic at Ibrox

JOE LEDLEY was just yards from Scott Brown when the captain’s Celtic legend was born at Ibrox during a last-16 Scottish Cup tie a decade ago.

Now, as the Hoops leader returns to the home of Rangers for a final time in a knockout competition, his old Welsh pal wouldn’t be shocked to see him drive his side to success again.

It was 2011 when Brown’s spectacular strike and arms open celebration gave birth to The Broonie.

Celtic were down to 10 men after a Fraser Forster red card and staring down the barrel as they also trailed 2-1 at the time.

Odds are tipped against Celtic but it was the same 10 years ago when Brown famously stepped up and his former midfield colleague can visualise a repeat.

Ledley (inset) said: “I didn’t think anything of it at first. I was just surprised he scored such a great goal!

“That celebration went viral and massive and he’s still doing it now.

“Browny has always been one of the big characters in these games and as a captain as well.

“He will go down as a legend. He’s massive. He’s a character off the pitch as well and switches completely.

“I’ve never seen someone just go from joking and messing around in the changing room to the matchday.

“He’s completely different.

That’s the type he is. He likes having a laugh but once he crosses that line he’s so focused. I’ve not seen anyone like it in my whole career.

“He could be standing next to his best mate and he wouldn’t speak to him. He’s so determined to win and that’s the player and person he is.

“When I was there you would always look up to him. He always sets the tone.

“He will be desperate to go out on a high. At the end of the day there’s a trophy to be won and he’ll want to lift it as the captain. But that won’t faze him. He’ll just play his own game and drag everyone else with him.

“He’s always been like that. It’s not just about him. He thinks about everyone else, trying to get behind them and encourage them as a player and as a man as well.

“Even though he’s coming to his last few games for Celtic he’ll want to go out there and win like he always does.”

Browny has always been a big character & he will go down a Celts legend