Same old Broony, he’s just in a different strip
Scott Brown has made it clear he isn’t at Aberdeen to wind down his career.
The new Pittodrie skipper will be leading his team’s charge against Dundee United at Pittodrie this afternoon.
He hopes to eventually follow the example of new Tangerines’ boss Tam Courts and move into a management role.
But, for now, he believes that being involved in a bit of coaching with the Dons can actually make him a better player as he moves past his mid-30s.
Brown said: “I wouldn’t say I was still as energetic at 36-years-old. 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 have a two-year playing contract and, while I’m also helping out with coaching, the main focus is to do my talking on the park
“I’ll make sure I’m always available, fit and take part in every training session.
“I want to play for as long as I can. I will give 100% for Aberdeen.
“I did that for Hibs and Celtic, now it’s for Aberdeen.
“The fans have been brand new.
“I think they understand that as soon as I cross the line on to the pitch, I play to win.
“I’m still enjoying it, I’m still learning as a footballer and as a coach.
“When you’re involved in the coaching, you’re watching a lot more games, you understand 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 and 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 already know what’s going to be happening.”
That twinkle is still strong in the midfielder’s eye and he admits moving to the north-east has reinvigorated him
He went on: “That’s why I decided to leave Celtic.
“I wanted a new challenge. I wanted to prove everybody wrong and show that I could still play at 36 and enjoy my football.
“I’m not doing anything different in my preparation.
“I just keep going and try to keep my legs moving.
“The longer you sit down and stay still at my age, the more you seize up.
“Even on the flight back from the Europa game in Sweden, I was making sure I was up and moving about.
“Stiffness is not great at my age, especially with another important game coming up – I need to prepare as well as I possibly can.”
Today’s Premiership clash sees Brown hoping to stop Dundee United boss Tam Courts from getting off to a winning start in the league.
He’s a man the former Celtic skipper knows well and believes will, after
this game, prove to be a big success in the dugout.
He said: “I know Tam really well. I speak to him quite a bit, especially in the last few months.
“He was at Kelty Hearts and I used to go along and watch their games when he was a player, then when he was the manager.
“He was a good centre-half, who talked on the park.
“I used to go and see him play quite a lot. I was brought up five minutes along the road from where he played and a few of my mates were involved in the team, too.
“He has a fantastic vision of the game and will do a really good job for Dundee United.
“He’s still learning as a manager and he needs to win games. But that’s part and parcel of first-team football.
“I’m sure he will take his chance and he will cherish it.
“We’ve got a young manager too in Stephen Glass.
“He’s been given a chance and that’s the way football is going. It’s a different era.”