Broonie’s loving life as commander of the Fleet
Scott can’t wait for his first season as boss after retiring for two days
TWO full days officially retired were more than enough for Scott Brown.
The Celtic legend then accepted the Fleetwood Town job and has been counting down to this week ever since.
Brown admits he’s desperate to get the serious stuff started after signing up to be Cod Army boss in May.
But it was way back on March 2 at Tynecastle, in a 2-0 defeat to Hearts for Aberdeen, that Brown would last sample a competitive matchday.
As he gears up for his dugout debut at Port Vale, that’s been too long a wait for Brown who says he’s missed the buzz.
Broonie left the Dons nine months into a two-year playercoach contract to pursue his coaching ambitions.
The 37-year-old confirmed he was hanging up his boots two months later.
Now he’s ready to launch his new career on the back of the pre-season high of beating Dundee United 2-1 at the Highbury Stadium.
When asked how he was enjoying life as manager, Brown, who is assisted by Steven Whittaker and Barry Nicholson, said: “It’s been good.
“I retired and got this job two days later so it’s a big change, but everyone’s helped me.
“League One is fantastic and I can’t wait for the competitive stuff to start.
“Against United, I felt our understanding was brilliant. That’s the way we want to press, the way we want to play.
“There’s always going to be mistakes and people giving the ball away.
“But it’s about reactions and how they get the ball back. The attitude was incredible.”
Fleetwood scraped clear of relegation under caretaker former Celtic defender Stephen Crainey last season.
Brown stressed: “This club should be doing a lot better than it did last season.”
The fine thatch of hair might come as a shock to locals whose impression of Brown was of a wild, shaven-headed character dominating midfield battles north of the border for years.
Former Hibs and Scotland team-mate Steven Fletcher, however, didn’t need Brown to sport a new look to know he’s been ready for the management game for a while.
But Fletcher knows the Fleetwood players aren’t kidded that there’s been a change in attitude as well as image.
He said: “A few of the Fleetwood boys were talking about his demands every day and the standards he sets.
“I said: ‘That’s how you win three trophies a season’. They were telling me their pre-season was tough but that’s just Scotty. He can run all day. “This is a great first job for him.” Brown’s side were second best to United for the most part but posed problems with swift, speedy counter-attacks.
Dan Batty’s deflected shot three minutes from half time gave Town the lead against the run of play.
Charlie Mulgrew equalised midway through the second period but former Hibs midfielder Josh Vela, Brown’s captain, stole victory in the final minute.