Critics inspire Brown’s vow to lead Celtic to more titles
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED Deila’s champions give their manager the perfect send-off
SCOTT BROWN last night vowed to help Celtic win the Ladbrokes Premiership “next year and the season after that” despite the presence of Rangers in the top flight.
Brown, who could square up to Joey Barton in the heat of Old Firm battle in the 2016/17 campaign should the Ibrox club secure an agreement with the notorious midfielder, received the league trophy amid jubilant scenes in the wake of a 7-0 win over Motherwell at Celtic Park yesterday.
The 30-year-old was rested for the final three games of this term and has been left out of the Scotland squad for the end-of-season friendlies against Italy and France, but he stressed his determination to return to full fitness next term and captain the Glasgow club to their sixth and seventh consecutive league triumphs.
“I would love to say we can make it 10-in-a-row, but I’m not sure my body can handle it,” he said. “But the way we’re going just now, we can keep winning. The win over Motherwell showed the great football we can play.
“You can only beat who is in front of you and we have done that again, for the fifth year in a row. I am sure we will do that again next year and the season after.”
Brown has been the subject of some criticism this term, but he insists that will only drive him on to greater glories in green and white under the successor to manager Ronny Deila, who took charge of the club for the last time yesterday.
“I don’t think we have to prove anybody wrong,” said Brown. “I think the only person who really matters is the new manager who comes in. Critics are critics. I enjoy them. People can say what they want on Twitter, Instagram, wherever. At the end of the day, it’s about who goes out on that park and what’s best for Celtic. These days, winning the league means so much to everybody. It is something that we can give back.”
Meanwhile, Ryan Christie, who played up front for Celtic and scored his first goal for the Parkhead club, has expressed optimism he can feature for the first team more often next season.
“I’ve no complaints about how the last six months have gone,” he said. “I feel I have definitely improved as a player. Coming in and being part of the team and training every day has brought on my game in leaps and bounds. I wish, a wee bit, that the season was still going.”
Meanwhile, Christie paid tribute to Jack Aitchison who, at 16 years and 71 days, became the youngest player in the 128-year history of Celtic to both make his debut and score a goal.
“I think the goal was his first touch and every player in the changing room was delighted for the wee man,” he said. “I’ve played Under-20s games with him and he really impressed me. I couldn’t believe how young he was when they told me. He has a giant future.”