Scott: I was not fit to face Gers in cup loss

SCOTT BROWN today admitted he should have declared himself unfit in the Scottish Cup semi-final Celtic lost to Rangers last season as he looked ahead to another last four tie against the Ibrox club this weekend.

Brown was desperately disappointing in the penalty shoot-out defeat that Ronny Deila’s side suffered against Mark Warburton’s team in the national knockout competition at Hampden back in April.

The Celtic midfielder and captain was ridiculed on social media and internet message boards after the reverse, which led to Deila standing down as manager.

However, the 31-year-old, who has been a man reborn this term after enjoying the longest summer break of his career, admitted he would have been better off sitting out the fixture as he looked ahead to the Betfred Cup semi-final this Sunday.

“It’s the Scottish mentality,” he said. “Every Scottish player, if you gave them the chance to play in a Rangers v Celtic semi-final, would bite your hand off for it.

“If someone says to me ‘are you fit to play’ I’m always there to play for anyone. But, looking back, maybe I shouldn’t have.

“It was just aches and pains, coming back too early from injuries and trying to pull through. Not being 100 per cent fit and playing in Rangers v Celtic games is always hard for anybody.

“No one tried to persuade me against playing. If any player says they are good to go the manager puts faith and trust in you.”

Brown is anticipating a far tougher game against Rangers than when Celtic thumped them 5-1 at Parkhead in the Ladbrokes Premiership last month – but he did admit his side would have a psychological edge over their opponents.

Asked if he thought Rangers would be “scarred” by the heavy loss, he said: “I think they will be.

“They’ve understood we are a top quality team this season. We’re in the Champions League group stages and have started well in the league.

“We’ve got pace all over the park as well which we were maybe lacking a bit last season and have experience as well in the likes of Kolo Toure.

“But we’ve got pace and quality with the likes of Moussa Dembele He’s exceptional.”