Every picture tells a story
I still pinch myself to think that idols like Rod Stewart and Martin Compston want THEIR selfies taken with ME
ROD STEWART tapped Scott Brown on the shoulder and introduced himself.
Martin Compston would far rather his Line of Duty was being the captain of Celtic.
For the Parkhead skipper, it’s often mind-bending that acting and singing superstars travel to see him or want to be him.
Yet, in his role as Celtic’s trophychurning leader for almost a decade, that’s the very movie in which he stars.
The club have launched a DVD to celebrate his Hoops career. To him, the script has brought fairytales.
Twelve years, 19 trophies and, in some cases almost astonishingly to Brown, his idols becoming his friends.
Brown said: “The best story I’ve got about Rod is when we were playing an away game in Europe and I was injured or suspended. Rod was sitting behind us and I was walking in with the lads.
“I sat down in front of him a wee bit shocked, I didn’t want to be the one to say: ‘Rod any chance of a selfie?’
“But he tapped me on the shoulder and said: ‘Brownie, I’m Rod Stewart, just in case you didn’t know.’ I was like: ‘Yeah, you’re my hero!’
“It’s just stuff like that you never thought would happen. Growing up with my mum and dad listening to Rod Stewart and you getting the opportunity to meet him. I have met him loads of times and he is a great guy.
“We went down to his house with Gordon Strachan as well and we met him there.
“We didn’t see him for a few years. He went to the games but we never really bumped into him and he probably forgot I knew who he was at the time.
“It is great people like Rod coming up to you and knowing who you are.
“I got Martin into the dressing room after one of the cup finals.
“He came in and was buzzing to meet all the lads.
“I was like: ‘It’s Martin, get in the picture.’ They were like: ‘Do you think he’ll mind?’
“Things like that. Meeting people you never thought you would ever get to meet.
“Getting to meet them and chat to them is great. I played against Martin as well in one of the Legends matches, Henrik Larsson and Lubo Moravcik’s game I think.
“We went out afterwards and you think: ‘This guy is on telly every day and is coming along to watch and support us.’ Wee fairytales that never happen.”
Brown, of course, isn’t one for the fame. It’s more about the honour and the responsibility and it’s why he just couldn’t say yes to the Australian move which presented itself about a year ago.
The timing was right in lots of respects but Celtic’s pull was just too strong.
Brown said: “I spoke to a lot of lads who told me not to go and others who said: ‘But it’s Australia!’
“You look at the sun and the lifestyle and think about your kids but then you realise you wouldn’t have the buzz you get from playing for Celtic.
“It came close to happening but I love the drive in the morning coming to Lennoxtown.
“I sit and have my coffee and have the routine where I’m as happy as Larry. So why spoil that?”
The next question was obvious. For how much longer?
Brown is 34 now but the fires still burn and the drive remains.
It’s almost a decade since Tony Mowbray gave him the armband and stuck him on to Rugby Park as a sub at left-back, yet he remains Celtic’s constant.
Strachan kept him going when he thought he might be done three years ago and the former Hoops and Scotland boss ended up playing until 40.
Brown said: “Brendan Rodgers was great because he convinced me that you can still play here in your 30s in spite of what other people think.
“I sat down with Gordon, who came to my house just after Ronny Deila left, and he asked me what was up.
“People like him convince you that you can go on and take the time to tell you. That stops you feeling sorry for yourself.
“Gordon was an exceptional player who used to join in bounce games at Lennoxtown and he’d do pre-season training as well.
“You look at people like him and Gary McAllister, who played at the highest level at a good age.
“You need to work hard and ensure that you’re always available to play.
“It becomes more difficult because our summer breaks get shorter all the time and I had to retire from playing international football too. “Can I keep going until I’m 40? You never know what’s round the corner. “The DVD coming out doesn’t mean it’s the end for me. I’ve had a book out too and have come back after that. “I have a good couple of years left, so will just keep going and keep playing. I’m in a great place at the minute, in a great team with a great manager. “Everything seems to be going well just now. So as long as that’s the case, I’ll just keep ticking over in training to make sure I’m ready. “I’ve been very fortunate to still be here at 34. “I’ve got a year-and-a-half left on my contract and I’m going to enjoy every single moment of it.”