The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Skipper still digging in 11 years on
Packed Celtic Park for Brown’s testimonial game
Brown added: “We dominated yesterday and we managed to bring the three trophies back to Celtic Park where they should be.
“It will be hard work next season but we have to get a wee bit better than we have been this season and we know we can push on yet again.
“When I first signed for Celtic my aim was to try and get in the team. It was a great team at the time.
“We always struggled against them at Hibs and we had a good team. But they had some exceptional players at the time. So it was just to try to get into the team but, lucky enough for me, 11 years later I am still digging my heels in and still playing.”
Celtic Park was packed almost to the rafters for the testimonial clash and, given the draw was predictably played out at a snail’s pace, then that tribute looked generous.
But then again generosity was hardly in short supply, with Brown donating his testimonial fee to the family of late Hoops midfielder Liam Miller as well as a number of charities.
The man of the moment was the only member of the starting line-up who had kicked off against Motherwell the day before while former Celtic man Charlie Mulgrew was back at Parkhead for a guest appearance.
And for many, the chance to see Henrik Larsson run out for one more 30-minute cameo appearance will have been worth the ticket price alone.
Ireland boss O’Neill was also back at his old stomping ground 15 years to the day since he led the club out in Seville for the Uefa Cup final, a reminder that for all of Celtic’s dominance on home soil, they still have major room for improvement in Europe.
Preston striker Alan Browne swept the visitors – who had international regulars such as Seamus Coleman, Jon Walters and James McClean among an inexperienced line-up – ahead four minutes in but that was cancelled out three minutes from half-time as Leigh Griffiths prodded home after good work by Eboue Kouassi.
Ireland regained the lead on 58 minutes when Callum O’Dowda’s vicious strike cannoned off the bar, only to strike young goalkeeper Ross Doohan on the back of the head before bouncing
…wehaveto get a wee bit better than we have been this season and weknowwe can push on yet again. SCOTT BROWN
into the net, but Patrick Roberts signed off his Celtic loan stint with a goal as he equalised three minutes later.
But with 90 seconds left, there was time for one last standing ovation as Brown’s number was up, making way for Callum McGregor.
Goalkeeper Craig Gordon, meanwhile, believes Celtic’s double treble will “stand the test of time”.
Under Brendan Rodgers the Hoops have now won all six domestic titles on offer in his two years at the club – and their latest Premiership title was a seventh in a row – and although they are favourites for every trophy at the start of the season, Gordon says their achievements should not be underestimated.
“We’re very happy and delighted with the achievement to back up last year’s invincible treble with another treble,” the 35-year-old said. “You can’t even imagine how difficult a thing that is to do.
“For this group of players now to manage that and do it in some style, it is a fantastic achievement and one that will really stand the test of time.”
The arrival of Rodgers has been the driving force behind Celtic’s dominance in the past two campaigns, with the former Liverpool boss set to stay at Parkhead after being linked with a move down south this summer, and the Scotland No 1 says the consistency he has brought to Glasgow has been the secret behind their success.
He said: “The consistency levels we have shown in the cup and the league over the past two seasons has been tremendous and we have to try and keep that going to achieve more great things with this team.
“We just try and win football matches, and by doing that we give ourselves the opportunity to make history.
“I think he’s the only manager to have two trebles at Celtic, so his name is in the history books as well as all the players that have played under him and it’s there for everyone to see.”