BIRTH OF THE BROONIE Ledley can see celebration repeat as his old mate leads Celts to derby win
JOE LEDLEY was just yards from Scott Brown when the captain’s Celtic legend was born. It was inside 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 pal would not be shocked to see him drive his side to success again.
It was February 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 given they were trailing 2-1.
Once again Ledley’s old club are under pressure in Govan with no trophies in the bag this term and no wins from the last four meetings with Steven Gerrard’s newly-crowned champions.
Odds are tipped against Celtic but it was the same 10 years ago when Brown famously stepped up to force a replay his side won – and his former midfield colleague can visualise a repeat.
Ledley 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 – 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. Once you get in the huddle, he sets it from the beginning.
“He will be desperate to go out on a high. At the end of the day there’s a trophy to be won as well and he’ll want to lift it as the captain for the last time. 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.
“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. That’s what will be missed. He’s a massive influence and gets 100 per cent from everyone.”
Of course Brown can’t do it on his own. He’ll need team-mates to step forward and Ledley believes there is enough quality within John Kennedy’s group to get the job done. He added: “If you look at that Celtic team, especially with Jamesy Forrest back into it, it’s looking a lot stronger. I’m glad to see Jamesy back. He’s been a massive miss.
“He’s proven over the past few years how good he is. He doesn’t just score goals, he creates goals.
“As a defender he’s a nightmare as he’s so quick. And the more he’s matured, he’s gained more experience.
“He’s got better over the years and is a massive part of how Celtic play. He’s one of the best in the team and doesn’t get much credit.
“Odsonne Edouard is a great player. His goalscoring has been fantastic. He reminds me a bit of Gary Hooper. Hopefully we can keep him for next season.
“Callum McGregor has also come on leaps and bounds in recent years.”
Ledley knows what it feels like to be the h e r o against Rangers, having netted a winner at Celtic Park with a header from Charlie
Mulgrew’s corner 10 months after the iconic Brown moment.
It helped propel Neil Lennon’s team to the title and, recalling that night to the Celtic Huddle Podcast, he said: “Lenny used to just name the team.
“I’m thinking that we had a lot of midfielders.
“I said to Garry Parker, ‘Where am I playing?’ He said, ‘Leftback’. I’m like, ‘What? It’s Old Firm, I want to be midfield’. I was against Sone Aluko and I’m like, ‘Oh my God with his pace’.
“At the end of the day we got the corner, a great ball from Charlie and I got above the defender. I got a clean sheet at left-back as well and it was an unbelievable achievement.
“I loved big games and always came through. I don’t why. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot of pressure. My first Old Firm game got to me massively. We got battered and lost 3-1 at home. It was learning from mistakes.
Browny likes a laugh but once he crosses that line, he is so focused JOE LEDLEY ADMIRES WILL TO WIN OF OLD PAL BROWN
“They are the best games to be involved in. It’s the best derby in the world.”
With Aberdeen-bound Brown leading from the front, Ledley feels Celtic can prevail on Sunday. The Welshman said: “They will be going in as underdogs. Rangers are the champions but anything can happen. “I still believe Celtic can win it and I’m going to go 2-0.”