BROWN IS KING WHERE IT MATTERS MOST
NEVER mind the football. When it comes to generating conspiracies, Scotland is a nuclear power.
Celtic fans think the referee who sent off captain Scott Brown against Ross County a fortnight ago is a fully paid-up member of the local lodge.
Rangers supporters accuse the SFA of downgrading the red card to a yellow because Parkhead chief Peter Lawwell pulls the strings.
Organ grinder at the nation’s wealthiest club, it is obvious Lawwell is a powerful mover in the corridors of power. To pretend otherwise would be daft. But last summer, he stepped down from the board of the SFA to rejoin the SPFL.
He can no more control the decision of a threeman independent disciplinary tribunal than he can the inner workings of North Korea.
Hands up here. To this observer, referee Don Robertson called Brown’s late tackle on Liam Boyce right.
Give Celtic’s lawyer this. OJ Simpson would hire him.
His adversarial skills mean the Scotland midfielder is now free to play against Rangers at Ibrox today.
And with Pedro Caixinha’s men gunning for revenge after last week’s Scottish Cup semi-final, the Parkhead club are entitled to feel blessed.
Subconsciously, this is a dangerous test of Celtic’s 41-match unbeaten domestic run.
With no Brown in the team, that record looks vulnerable. However, with their captain present and correct, Brendan Rodgers’ side will fancy their chances.
Rival supporters might think Lawwell runs the Scottish game.
Where it matters most, though, Scott Brown remains the Celtic guv’nor.