Scott may be back as the gaffer

ONCE A HOOP Brown is tipped for return to Celtic

JACKIE MCNAMARA believes Scott Brown will one day return to Celtic as boss.

The Parkhead skipper

is departing

Glasgow’s East End after 14 successful years at the club to tackle a new challenge as player-coach at Aberdeen.

Mcnamara feels Brown still has plenty to offer at the top level on the field.

But with the chance to have a senior coaching role under Stephen Glass at Pittodrie, the former Celtic captain reckons the 35-year-old will be starting an education that could eventually lead him back to the Parkhead hotseat.

Mcnamara said: “He has a desire to keep playing which is important. I was given advice to keep playing as long as you can.

“The fact it’s a playercoach role is something he’s looking to get into as well.

“In terms of the coaching side of it, if he goes away and learns, he might come back to Celtic one day as the manager.

“He has been a fantastic servant – 14 years. He has been a great captain, a great leader, he’ll be a big miss to the dressing room and fans.

“Brendan Rodgers and Neil Lennon spoke really highly of him as a coach.

“His role at Aberdeen gives him a chance to put his foot back in, although he’s still playing and still has a lot to offer on the field.

“It is a good move for him and he has the potential to come back to Celtic one day as the manager.”

Mcnamara knows it is going to be hard for the deposed champions to replace their iconic leader of over a decade and admits the work has to start now with the appointment of a full-time successor to Lennon.

He said: “Celtic need to regroup and try to replace Scott with some strong characters in the dressing room. First is to get the manager in place sooner rather than later.”