BROWN: HE NEVER HELD ANY GRUDGE

SCOTT BROWN was handed the first of his 55 Scotland international caps by Walter Smith — and swiftly repaid the debt by turning down a move to Rangers to join Celtic instead. Fearful of falling victim of the glacial Smith stare, the Aberdeen midfielder (right) had no cause to worry. Despite his status as an elder statesman within Ibrox, the legendary Rangers boss never allowed petty local rivalries to transcend common decency. A point reinforced when he served as a pallbearer for former Celtic rival and close friend Tommy Burns in 2008. ‘I remember after Tommy passed away, Walter and Ally (McCoist) helped carry the coffin,’ recalled former Celtic skipper Brown, who was handed his Scotland debut by Smith in a 1-1 draw against the United States in November 2005. ‘It is the most powerful message that has ever been sent out. You talk about bridging the divide but that picture speaks a thousand words. ‘You knew how much Tommy loved Celtic and how much Walter loved Rangers. But as soon as they went away from that, they had a lot of time for one another and so did their families. They had a fantastic bond and they tried to bridge that divide. ‘So I’ve got great respect for the man. He was the one who tried to be bigger than that divide.’ One of the hottest young properties in

Scottish football in 2007, Brown was offered a straight choice between leaving Hibernian for Celtic or Rangers, where Smith was back as manager for a second spell. He moved to Parkhead. ‘At the time, I thought maybe Walter and Coisty would hold a grudge,’ he admitted. ‘They never once did.’ Tonight Brown will be part of an Aberdeen side that travels to Ibrox and Dons boss Stephen Glass added: ‘There is going to be an emotional atmosphere for everybody connected to Rangers. ‘I’m sure they will want to do justice to the memory of someone who has been magnificent for their club. We get the chance to pay respect to that.’