Melbourne confident Brown will make move
CELTIC’S chances of retaining Scott Brown beyond the summer appear to be receding after his would-be suitors in Australia claimed they were increasingly confident he’ll move Down Under. Western Melbourne want the Parkhead skipper as a marquee signing and have tabled a two-year deal, with the prospect of a third being automatically triggered should he play enough games. Out of contract at Celtic in the summer and mulling over the offer of an extended deal, which would have provision for a coaching role under Brendan Rodgers, the 33-year-old is being tempted by the prospect of a new challenge on the other side of the world. Western Melbourne’s Maurice Bisetto, one of three entrepreneurs behind the club, stopped short of saying Brown would sign but sounded certain he will soon. ‘We are pretty close with some players including a marquee,’ he said. ‘We’re looking at a pre-season start in June, so things need to get moving. Scott Brown has a lot of positives and could make a significant contribution... as a leader on-and-off the field. ‘We could go for a bigger name but we are focused on results and performance and the style of football we want to play.’ Brown also has interest from MLS sides Minnesota United and Sporting Kansas City but the Melbourne option is thought to be the one that appeals most. One player who won’t be joining him at Celtic is Scott McTominay. Rodgers admires the Manchester United midfielder and would have been interested in taking him on loan had it been sanctioned. But a calf injury to Marouane Fellaini means the Scot will now be required by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer — with the interim United manager effectively killing off Celtic’s hopes of taking the 22-year-old until May. ‘Scott is working hard,’ Solskjaer said. ‘We’re working on his contract. With Fellaini’s injury, I’m not sure we’re going to see any movement.’