6

Yesterday’s result at BT Murrayfield was Scotland’s sixth defeat in a row to Ireland. The Scots last beat the Irish on February 4, 2017 — a 27-22 victory at home in the Six Nations

SATURDAY’S SOLUTION (No 8,798) — ACROSS: 1 The slammer. 6 Teeter. 7 Diced. 9 Sewers. 10 Raw. 11 Tear. 14 Sort. 15 Boa. 16 Not out. 17 Deeds. 18 Eleven. 20 Hospitable. DOWN: 1 Tee. 2 Either. 3 Larder. 4 Modest. 5 Escargot. 6 Taste bud. 8 Downturn. 9 Sarajevo. 12 Ends up. 13 Street. 14 Superb. 19 Eke.

SOLUTION TOMORROW

No. 38,826

KRIS COMMONS has urged Celtic to offer Scott Brown a new contract and ensure that the club captain is part of the summer rebuild.

Brown’s current deal expires at the end of the season and the 35-year-old has been linked with a move to Aberdeen in a player-coach role, should Stephen Glass take the job at Pittodrie.

But, writing exclusively in his Sportsmail column, former Celtic star Commons believes the club would be making a huge mistake if they allowed their talismanic skipper to walk away. Insisting that Brown has at least one more year to give, Commons said: ‘From Celtic’s point of view, it should be a complete non-starter (Brown leaving).

‘They would be crazy to let a man of Brown’s experience and stature just walk out the door.

‘If it’s likely to be a summer of upheaval at Aberdeen then that applies tenfold to what will be going on at Celtic. The club are facing a rebuild of epic proportions.

‘It’ll be the biggest overhaul the club have faced in a generation. The playing squad is likely to be unrecognisable — there could be upwards of a dozen players who leave.

‘In effect, the club is set to undergo open-heart surgery. Brown is the perfect man to help provide an element of stability and continuity. He can help the transition.

‘In terms of Celtic’s greatest-ever captains, Brown is second on the list. Only Billy McNeill stands above him.

‘His experience will be absolutely invaluable. The club should be making it a matter of urgency to get him signed up for next season.’