SORO TO LET YOU DOWN
Mjallby: Scott faces bench
Johan Mjallby believes Neil Lennon will reluctantly let down a legend by leaving Scott Brown on his subs bench this afternoon.
Five-time winner Brown has spoken about how much the Scottish Cup Final means to him.
And Celtic boss Lennon has hinted at playing the loyalty card by starting the stars who did most to take the Hoops through the delayed tournament.
That would bring Brown back into the fold after two games as an unused sub.
Forgotten man Ismaila Soro and summer signing David Turnbull provided a youthful spark in midfield as Celtic’s form turned for the better with wins over Lille and Kilmarnock.
So it’s a big selection call for Lennon if he’s tot play his captain.
AsAsked if he felt Lennon would go back to BroBrown, the Northern Irishman’s former No. 2 said: “It’s a tricky one.
“LoLook, we love Scott. He has been tremtremendous on and off the pitch. He’s a CeltiCeltic legend and has been a great leader.
“BuBut I think Neil will stick with Soro. TheyThey’ve won their last two, Soro has done wellwell, showing a lot of energy and abilitability to win the ball back.
“It’It’s good for the squad they have more compcompetition and hopefully Soro will conticontinue to play well.
“BuBut I can guarantee with Scott that it’s a casecas of Celtic first, him second. As a profeprofessional, I can’t expect him to be happy at mmissing out on a final if it happens.
“BBut I do think he’s clever enough to know kno that it’s up to him, when he gets on the pitch, to show Neil he should be in the team.
“Broony has been through most ththings and, if the manager sticks with a winning team, everyone wi l l uunderstand it.”
Lennon’s struggles haven’t been plpleasant viewing for Mjallby who tunes into most Celtic games from Sweden. BuBut he has already watched first hand as LeLennon brought himself back from the brink and would love to witness it again.
RaRangers were going for four titles with
JOHAN PLACES Mjallby with the William Hill Scottish Cup Celtic 15 points adrift in October 2011 when, 3- 0 down to Kilmarnock at half time, Lennon gave the team talk of his life only 18 months into his managerial career.
Mjallby recalled: “It was a bit different because we were newcomers trying to get a team together. Now Celtic have been superior for many years.
“That day at Rugby Park I was personally angry and shocked that we conceded three goals because Neil gave me a lot of responsibility when it came to the defence.
“Neil made a great speech. He asked his players to play for him because we hadn’t been there for a long time. They went back out and were brilliant, we came away with a point and never looked back.”
Mjallby hopes a Celtic victory today can be a catalyst for a storming title comeback – and a lengthy unbeaten streak that would save Lennon’s job.
“I feel for him as a person, I know how much he loves Celtic,” said Mjallby. “I’m his friend and he is Mr Celtic. There’s no other club he really wants to manage.
“Maybe there is surprise that Celtic haven’t acted. But you can’t always listen to supporters and I know Neil will believe he can fix things.
“I think he can. But they need to be unbelievable now. If you don’t get results at Celtic then you’re in trouble.”
Mjallby was speaking at a media event organised by William Hill, the proud sponsor of the Scottish Cup.