Brown says Ibrox rivals know Celtic deserve title

SCOTT BROWN has insisted that Celtic’s Old Firm rivals know “deep down” that Neil Lennon’s side will come out on top of the Premiership this season if the remaining fixtures were played in full.

The Celtic captain reckons that Rangers are aware that they would not be able to catch the league leaders as they bid for a ninth successive title.

The Parkhead club currently enjoy a 13-point lead over Steven Gerrard’s side with eight matches left, having played an additional match.

Speaking to Clyde Superscoreboard, the 34-year-old outlined his hope that the remaining fixtures of the 2019/20 season can be completed – and said that even if his side are awarded the championship without concluding the current campaign, victory would taste just as sweet as ever.

“Obviously we want to finish off the season,” Brown said. “I think our biggest thing is that we wanted to continue. We had eight games to go, our goal difference is so much better than Rangers’, and we were in great form to be perfectly honest. Since coming back from Dubai in January we’ve really kicked on.

“We obviously had a tough time on the 29th of December [when Celtic lost 2-1 to Rangers at Parkhead] but we have managed to take that on the chin. We’ve gone to Dubai, worked hard over there and we’ve been flying since we came back.

“It will still feel amazing lifting a title once I eventually get my hands on it. I think 99 per cent of Scotland can see that we’re flying just now. Even Rangers have said in a few statements that their only chance of silverware was the Scottish Cup, because even they doubted themselves winning the league. I think even they know deep down we do deserve this.

“The lads have worked extremely hard, especially since coming back from Dubai. I feel sorry for all our players to be honest, the backroom staff and everyone that has worked that hard for people to be saying that we don’t deserve it.”