TOUGH AT TOP FOR BROONY
LISBON LION Jim Craig knows how it feels to star in an all-conquering Celtic side – and also knows it isn’t always good to be the kings.
A fully paid-up member of Jock Stein’s nine-in-a-row sides, Craig saw team-mates such as Jimmy Johnstone and Bobby Lennox kicked black and blue by desperate opponents determined to stop them at any cost.
Craig watched through his fingers on Saturday as Ross County skipper Andrew Davies was sent off for stamping on Scott Brown’s groin as the Celtic captain lay on the ground after being hauled down by Billy Mckay.
Davies followed in the studmarks of Aberdeen journeyman Sam Cosgrove and Motherwell defender Cedric Kipre, although the latter’s offence was reduced to a booking on appeal.
Celtic fans believe teams are queueing up to stick the boot into Broony but Craig claims it’s the only way rival players can cope with him.
He said: “If you’re playing for the side which is way out in front of all the others then you become a target. That’s especially the case when you play the way Scott does.
“He goes on to the pitch with an aggressive attitude and a little bit of devilment, which is exactly how the game should be played.
“When you do that though how can you be surprised when opponents try to take you out? It’s just what happens.”
Craig also argues Brown’s form this term has been so impressive going over the top is one of the few options left for his opponents.
He said: “Scott is an excellent player at the peak of his powers. Guys in the other teams can’t compete with him in a football sense so they’ll try to foul him.
“Opposing teams will always try to find a way to stop you from doing what you’re good at, by fair means or foul. They’ll watch Scott dictating the tempo and the pace of the play and they won’t be happy about it.
“Good players always create space for themselves and there are occasions when Scott appears to have all the time in the world to do everything he wants to.
“That frustrates and annoys the players on the other side, who might not be able to play as well as he does but can attack him without making much effort.
“Kieran Tierney gets fouled constantly as well but Broony’s demeanour makes him more of a target.”
Davies will sit out tonight’s relegation battle against Partick Thistle.
Craig said: “I genuinely don’t believe what he did – or what the others have done – was premeditated.
“Nor do I think it has anything to do with the ridiculous suggestion from Hearts manager Craig Levein who claimed referees needed to protect players from Scott.
“What Davies did was nasty and he could easily have pulled out of it but these are things that happen in the heat of the moment.
“But the worst offence I’ve seen this year was when St Johnstone’s Blair Alston had a boot at Hibs’ John McGinn. There was no attempt to play the ball, he could have caused some serious damage but he only received a yellow card.”
And Craig added: “It annoys me when players are booked for breaking up attacks. I’d love to see guys who commit those kind of fouls spend 10-15 minutes on the sidelines instead of staying on the pitch for the remainder of the game.”