I’ll prove all the doubters wrong
Age is jus ta number for Brown as he aims to shine for Aberdeen
SCOTT BROWN is determined to prove his doubters wrong as he begins life in the Premiership with Aberdeen. The 36-year-old left Celtic at the end of last season after 14 trophy-laden years to join the Dons in a player-coach role and has been named captain by boss Stephen Glass.
Ahead of this afternoon’s first league match of the season against Dundee United at Pittodrie, Brown insists age is just a number as he prepares to lead his new team-mates into battle.
Asked if he felt the same buzz now as when he first joined Celtic from Hibernian in 2007, Brown said: ‘Yes, that’s why I decided to leave. I wanted a new challenge. I wanted to prove everybody wrong and show that I could still play at 36 and enjoy my football.
‘At the same time, I wanted to learn and learn under a good manager and backroom staff. That’s a focus for me, further down my career.
‘I have a two-year playing contract but also helping out with the backroom staff and coaching.
‘But the main focus is to make sure I do my talking on the park. I’m always available, fit and take part in every training session.
‘I wouldn’t say I’m energetic at 36 but I will give you as much as I possibly can. The thing is, I love football. I love playing it and I love being part of it. I want to play as long as I can.
‘Whether selected or not, I will give 100 per cent for Aberdeen. I did that for Hibs and Celtic, now it’s for Aberdeen. I’m still enjoying it, I’m still learning as a footballer and as a coach.’
Brown is relishing his new routine at Aberdeen working with Glass, who replaced Derek McInnes in March, and says he thrives on his added responsibility.
The midfielder has already tasted competitive action as the Dons progressed past Swedish side BK Hacken last week in the second qualifying round of the Europa Conference League and now face Breidablik of Iceland, with the first leg away on Thursday.
Ahead of making his Premiership debut for Aberdeen today, Brown is ready to offer his experience both on and off the pitch. ‘It has been going well,’ he continued. ‘It’s different because I’m part of the backroom staff as well.
‘My day is definitely not 10am till 2pm now — it has taken on an extra few hours. I’m working for my money now, that’s for sure.
‘I’m learning all the time. I’m learning different parts of the game. I’m learning how hard coaches work, how they understand about playing against different teams, formations and philosophies.
‘It’s good to understand about bringing in players and where you can strengthen. Looking at preparation for training and understanding what the lads go through has been key for me.
‘You’re watching a lot more games, you’re understanding the teams we face a lot more.
‘I know we play the same teams four times a season and you should get used to them, but they change shape, the way they play.
‘Some teams go direct, some let you have the ball, so it’s about understanding ways for us to break them down and how we can play against different shapes.
‘When we go into training, I know what’s going to be happening. The lads are always asking me what’s going to be happening.
‘It’s about making sure we’re keen, we’re fit and ready to start the training. I can help with that a bit outwith the coaching staff as I try to be their voice out on the park.’
Brown is looking forward to coming up against new Dundee United manager Tam Courts this afternoon.
The Fifers formed a friendship as Brown followed Courts’ playing and early coaching career at Hill of Beath and Kelty Hearts.
‘I know Tam really well,’ said Brown of the new United boss, who replaced Micky Mellon — who returned to Tranmere Rovers — this summer.
‘I’ve spoken to Tam quite a bit, especially in the last few months.
‘Tam’s great. He was at Kelty and I used to go along and watch their games when he was a player, then when he was the manager.
‘He has a fantastic vision of the game, an understanding of the game. He will do a really good job for Dundee United.
‘He works hard and wants to understand the game. He’s still learning as a manager, now it’s first-team football for him.
‘He needs to win games now, that’s just part and parcel of first-team football.
‘I’ve been speaking to Tam for a few months and understood that once the Dundee United manager was leaving, he had a chance of getting the job.
‘He works hard and you have to give people a chance at these times. I’m sure he will take his chance and he will cherish it.
‘He was a good centre-half who talked on the park. I used to go and see him play quite a lot. Where he played, I was brought up five minutes along the road and a few of my mates used to play there.
‘It was good to watch them and see Tam. He used to talk football back then, about how he wanted to go up the leagues and become a manager. That’s what he’s done.’