BROWN IS THE MAN FOR ALL SEASONS:

Brown takes his place alongside Forrest as only ever-presents in Celtic’s amazing title sequence

PRESSED on their ever-growing trophy haul over the past decade, you sense that Scott Brown and James Forrest would rather poke their eyes with rusty needles than talk up their respective places in Celtic’s folklore.

Such self-deprecation has become increasingly at odds with reality after they helped the club complete nine in a row for the second time in its history.

Although Fraser Forster was in goal for the opening and concluding chapters, the two Scots now enjoy the distinction of being the only players who were present throughout the record-equalling run.

Forrest’s nine league medals now put him level with Billy McNeill and Jimmy Johnstone. Victorious also in 2008 under Gordon Strachan, Brown now moves on to ten — just one behind Bobby Lennox.

To put the success of the current captain in context, the only other Celts to have reached double figures of league triumphs did so before the war; Alec McNair on 12, Jimmy McMenemy 11 and Jim Young ten.

The current duo’s league winners’ tally also outstrips the majority of the Lisbon Lions; Bobby Murdoch managed eight, Jim Craig seven and Bertie Auld six.

What makes their achievements all the more noteworthy is they have taken place in the post-Bosman era.

Unlike in the 1960s and ’70s when players generally stuck around clubs until told otherwise, the opportunities to make lucrative moves under freedom of contract abound these days.

Both Brown and Forrest have had overtures from England. They’d certainly have retired richer men had they indulged them, but the price may have been their places in the club’s pantheon.

When news of the latest triumph broke yesterday morning, Brown typically focused on the collective achievement rather than any personal milestone.

‘It’s incredible, to be perfectly honest,’ he said after confirmation that the curtailed league was being decided on a points-per-game basis.

‘We obviously wanted to play every single game but, due to the circumstances, we’ve not been able to. I think the league has done the right thing having crowned us champions, because it was only a matter of time anyway.

‘We do our talking on the park as we’ve shown over the last nine seasons with how consistent we’ve been. We wanted to continue that, to show how dominant we’ve been with the leagues as well.’

It was not how anyone would have envisaged it or wanted it. While it’s been by no means unusual down the years for titles to be won by a team sitting idle while a rival slips up, invariably there follows celebrations in front of a packed stadium. Four years ago, Leicester City’s players famously congregated at Jamie Vardy’s house when the Foxes’ annus mirabilis was confirmed by Tottenham’s draw at Chelsea. Back in 1993, Sir Alex Ferguson greeted news of Manchester United’s triumph while playing Mottram Hall golf course.

Like so many sides across Europe this season, Celtic’s celebrations — at least for now — can only take place remotely.

‘I feel for the lads because we’re not able to get the trophy,’ added Brown.

‘We’re not able to have trophy day with the fans and with our families as well. It’s hard for the lads that way, but I’m sure we’ll get a Zoom call and we’ll all celebrate.’

Five months ago, there was a very real chance Celtic’s end-of-season review would have taken on a completely different tone. A first home defeat to Rangers in a decade saw their lead at the top cut to a single point with a game more played. The fortunes of the respective sides after their return from Dubai could not have made for a sharper contrast. Rangers slipped and stumbled. Some 13 points were shipped across ten games, leaving those fans who had left Celtic Park bullishly optimistic dejected and bemused.

As they stalled, Neil Lennon’s side engaged top gear. They took 28 points from a possible 30, their only slip coming at Livingston on the same night their great rivals lost at home to Hamilton.

‘When we got eight in a row, we were extremely focused to make sure we got the nine,’ said Brown.

‘We know how hard we’ve worked over the years. To get eight, and then not get over the line to get nine — that fantastic record — would have been extremely harsh on us, especially with what we’ve done over the years.

‘We knew that, after December, we had to focus in order to make sure we were on our game every single week and that we pushed each other.’

The opportunity to complete a quadruple Treble rests on Celtic’s Scottish Cup semi-final with Aberdeen eventually being played.

The rough plan is for the competition to be concluded at the start of next season. Whenever hostilities resume, Brown is convinced Celtic will be prepared to go again.

‘For us, these seven weeks have been our recovery,’ he said. ‘Now, whenever training is ready to go, we’ll be ready to start.

‘We can’t wait to get back to winning ways and we need to make sure we push and work as hard as we possibly can to get ten.’