Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)

Ramming it Brown his throat

- BY GAVIN BERRY

SCOTT ARFIELD insists he couldn’t care less what Scott Brown thinks of him doing the ‘Broony’ as the Celtic captain has enjoyed years of lording it over his rivals.

The image of Arfield with his arms outstretch­ed in front of Brown was seen as an Old Firm turning point as Rangers ended a horror run in the fixture.

Brown has dominated recent derbies and the sight of the shirtless skipper wearing sunglasses and dancing in front of the Hoops legions at Ibrox last season showed how much he enjoyed it.

But it was a miserable return to Govan for the 33-year-old, with Arfield getting the better of him before the Gers midfielder trolled him with his celebratio­n.

Arfield says it’s all part of the psychologi­cal warfare – an area where Brown has been so strong during Celtic’s Scottish football dominance.

And it’s why the former Burnley man, whose performanc­e against Brown was key in the win, reckons the Celtic ace can have no complaints at the tables being turned in last month’s Old Firm derby.

Arfield said of the picture: “I got home and my mate showed me it. I have seen it 300 times. It went mad. I can’t remember when it was in the game and I haven’t watched the game back.

“He has done it for years and probably got in the head of players a lot easier. It is mind games, at the end of the day.

“To be honest I am not bothered about what he thinks about anything. I am worried about winning games for Rangers.

“It was one of those things, I can’t even remember the celebratio­n. It was a spur of the moment. I was appealing for a foul, I think.

“Mind games are a massive part of football and in terms of mentality, you need to be tough, particular­ly at a club like this, and accept responsibi­lity.”

 ??  ?? CALM & COLLECTED Celtic keeper Conor Hazard is ready to bring composure to the Partick Thistle defence
CALM & COLLECTED Celtic keeper Conor Hazard is ready to bring composure to the Partick Thistle defence
 ??  ?? OFF PACE Scott Brown lagged behind Scott Arfield
OFF PACE Scott Brown lagged behind Scott Arfield

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