BOOT’S ON THE OTHER FOOT
Broonie: I know how our rivals feel when they are kicking us because I’ve done same against Barca at the Nou Camp
SCOTT BROWN understands exactly why Celtic players are running around with targets on their back – because he’s been in the same boat against Barcelona.
The Hoops captain has no doubt his side have copped some rough treatment in Scotland with boss Brendan Rodgers highlighting recent shocking challenges on Scott Sinclair and Kieran Tierney.
Brown can recognise the red mist when he sees it. He’s struggled to see through it often enough.
The midfield enforcer knows what’s going through the minds of rivals when they are getting a chasing on the pitch.
It might be a moment of madness or even just weary limbs struggling to keep up.
Brown had to fight the urge to put the boot in when he was on the end of a runaround in the Nou Camp a few months ago, when Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez were dishing out a hiding to the Hoops.
So it’s no surprise to see others dish it out on home soil when it’s Celts who are serving up the punishment on the pitch.
The Parkhead skipper’s been there, done that and got the T-shirt to go along with the yellow cards but he does agree with his boss that Premiership refs need to be on their guard to stop someone from suffering a really serious one.
Brown said: “I think people are getting annoyed with us continually winning.
“It does get frustrating – I’ve been there before myself. Imagine me talking about fouling!
“When people are fighting to get three points and you are two or three nil up, you keep the ball. There are always going to be late tackles.
“It’s happened a few times. Some of them have been quite bad – the ones on KT and Scotty in the past couple of games in particular.
“We just need to make sure that everyone is all right and keep the safety of the game.
“I think it’s always in the back of somebody’s mind. If we go two or three nil up and are keeping the ball, and they are not getting a touch, it’s hard for everybody.
“I’ve been there against Barcelona when I’ve been one or two seconds too late.
“I have been on the end of five or six nil, and you don’t get a touch of the ball for three or four minutes and your body gets tired. I know how it feels.
“All you can do is be that wee bit quicker. I’m sure the refs will get it right.
“The refs say they always welcome a chat but I try not to speak to them and stay focused on the game.”
Brown admitted some of the challenges have been close to the bone but he insisted rivals should not mistake the manager’s moan about it for softness.
The captain is clear Celtic can handle themselves and are quite capable of giving it back if rivals want to get down and dirty.
Brown said: “The gaffer is right when he said we are men.
“We’re a team that can play nice, attractive football or we can get mixed in. We have a lot of boys who can do that as well.
“If teams want to do that against us we can certainly do that back. Not in a nasty way or a way in which you are going to injure people but a 50/50 that you go through but win the ball. The way we are trying to play is so we can continue to win games and to keep the ball as long as possible.
“Teams are camping in against us. The more we keep the ball, the more we tire them out.
“The more we tire them out, the more chance of late tackles and red cards and stuff.
“As I say, I’ve been on the other end of that before and I know that it’s not great at times.”
Brown is prepared for another battle against Hamilton Accies at Celtic Park today and he insisted there will be no let up despite the huge chasm at the top of the table.
He’s hooked on that winning feeling and he’s not ready to give up the habit just yet, even though
MICHAEL GANNON
they are lapping their rivals in the title race.
Brown said: “We want to play good, attractive football especially at Celtic Park for the fans.
“We’ve been doing that, winning games and we want to continue that for as long as we possibly can.
“The feeling in the camp now is that we can keep going for as long as possible.
“We’re enjoying it. We’re enjoying our football and entertaining the fans in a stadium which is full. We’re just enjoying being here just now. That’s the main thing.
“That’s why this run is continuing because everyone is together. There are no individuals. The gaffer made that clear from day one.”
Brown reckons there is a fear factor in the group as well that is driving them on.
He said: “It stays fresh because of the squad here. If you are not playing well the gaffer can easily chop and change it.
“He is strong-willed that way and it doesn’t matter who it is or what position you play.
“If you are not working hard on and off the field, he’ll put in someone who is.”
That includes fit-again striker Leigh Griffiths who is back in training and banging on the first-team door after more than a month battling calf injuries.
Brown has warned Accies his morning car pool pal is ready to motor again.
He said: “The wee man has been frightening in training.
“That’s him back now and I know what it’s like when you get an injury and then another one when you are coming back.
“But he is looking sharp and chirpy, so it will be good to have him back in the squad.”