The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
‘Perfect season’ for Celtic captain
Testimonial match rounds off campaign after second domestic treble
Celtic skipper Scott Brown ended the “perfect season” with his testimonial game against the Republic of Ireland at Parkhead yesterday.
Around 50,000 turned up to pay tribute to the 32-year-old midfielder who joined the Glasgow club from Hibernian in 2007.
The match took place a day after the Hoops clinched an unprecedented successive domestic treble with a 2-0 William Hill Scottish Cup final win over Motherwell at Hampden Park.
Following yesterday’s 2-2 draw against Martin O’Neill’s side, Brown said: “It was definitely the perfect season.
“There was always going to be ups and downs in it but we have turned up in big matches.”
Martin O’Neill believes Celtic’s European ambitions would benefit from a “strong Rangers” side.
The former Celtic boss, who took the Hoops to the 2003 Uefa Cup final where they lost 3-2 to Porto, returned to Parkhead with his Republic of Ireland side for Scott Brown’s testimonial game.
After the 2-2 draw, the Celtic skipper was able to pose in front of all three domestic trophies for an unprecedented second successive year.
O’Neill, who won the treble with Celtic in 2001, said: “It is extremely difficult. Even the great Jock Stein had difficulty with it as well, but of course the 1967 side (which won the European Cup) eclipsed everything.
“It is a great achievement. To do it is very good, to do it twice on the trot is excellent and they deserve it too.
“You would be hoping now that if Rangers are going to get stronger that can only be good.
“I have said that for weeks, months, years now – Rangers getting stronger would only benefit this football club as well too, to try to get stronger in Europe.
“There doesn’t seem to be any resting on laurels here domestically, but if that com-petition gets stronger then Celtic will rise to it.
“If Rangers are in a position to delve into a transfer market and get some decent players then that will be a little reminder to Celtic.
“Celtic are dominating the league. There has not been any casualness as you see with the six competitions they have won but I think he (Rodgers) would welcome that.”
The Ibrox club will go into next season under the guidance of new boss Steven Gerrard, an appointment which finds favour with O’Neill.
He said: “Personally I think it’s a really good appointment.
“I know there is always a viewpoint in terms of inexperience. But he’s bringing Gary McAllister along who has loads and loads of experience, so the combination should be good.”