‘Incredible’ Brown could play past 36, says Lennon
NEIL LENNON has left the door open for Scott Brown to extend his Celtic odyssey beyond the duration of his present contract. Earlier this year, the 34-year-old midfielder rejected the advances of Australian club Western Melbourne to sign a new deal at Parkhead until 2021. Brown, who has won 19 major honours since moving from Hibs for £4million in 2007, underscored his ongoing worth to his club’s cause with a double in the 5-2 win over his former club in Saturday’s Betfred Cup semi-final. Although he will be about to turn 36 by the time his present deal expires, Lennon, who himself played until that age, hasn’t discounted the possibility of his skipper pulling on the boots for another season. ‘It will depend on how he’s feeling and how he’s playing at the time,’ said the
Celtic manager. ‘I think he’s got another year after this one. ‘We’ll take a view of that maybe this time next year, with him as well. But, the way he’s playing at the minute, it might cost us a few bob.’ Having had his involvement against St Mirren last Wednesday curtailed with a thigh issue, Brown was rated a doubt for the Hibs tie. Playing as well as he’s ever done in a Celtic jersey this season, though, his manager feels no praise is too high for the consistency he’s still showing in his mid 30s. ‘He’s incredible,’ added Lennon. ‘And I think he’s playing as well as ever. ‘I look at Rangers away, Lazio, Sunday, Aberdeen away and other games. ‘He had a little bit of a toe problem at the start of the season, that was curtailing him. But he’s over that now. ‘He’s in a good place and the players respect him and look up to him. But he’s not in the team as a cheerleader. He’s in the team because he’s a bloody good player. ‘And he keeps churning out consistent performances that we don’t take for granted.’ Brown’s first goals of the season were his first since netting in March’s Scottish Cup quarter-final at Easter Road. Delighted with his captain’s habit of scoring big goals when it matters, Lennon said: ‘He does all right. Considering he’s a holding midfielder, a bona fide No 6. ‘He scored a couple of really important goals last year. And he’s come up again with two against Hibs.’