Scott Brown’s glowing verdict on Celtic’s ‘brilliant’ European exploits under Neil Lennon

Celtic legend Scott Brown will always be synonymous with the Hoops’ modern-day dominance over Scottish football.

In a glittering playing career, the former Scotland international claimed 22 trophies at Parkhead, with only Billy McNeil and Bobby Lennox lifting more silverware.

James Forrest could eclipse his record if Celtic win the Scottish Premiership or Scottish Cup this campaign, adding to the esteemed company on display.

Nevertheless, Brown’s leadership and battling qualities over the years were crucial to helping establish Celtic’s hold over the domestic, as he racked up 611 appearances, 43 goals, and 61 assists across all comPetitions during 14 years in Glasgow’s east end [Transfermarkt].

Now, in the dugout at Ayr United, the 38-year-old had this to say on the notion of him one day becoming manager at Parkhead, stating earlier this month: “Everyone says that. I think for me, I need to just worry about myself. At Celtic what I have done and how I’ve played that’s all in the past.

“You don’t become the manager because you just played at Celtic. You’ve not got the right to manage Celtic. You have to go and earn it.”

Undoubtedly, Brown has been around the club long enough to understand the magnitude of taking on such a position, though it is a thought that refuses to disperse in Celtic circles.

Scott Brown on Celtic’s European exploits under Neil Lennon

We all know how well Brown and Brendan Rodgers worked in tandem; however, his relationship with Neil Lennon was equally as profitable throughout his Celtic career.

Speaking to World Football Index, Brown shed light on some of the club’s European exploits during that time, including our famous victories over Barcelona, Spartak Moscow, Ajax and Lazio (in his second spell) to name a few, alongside qualifying from Champions League Group G in 2012 and topping Europa League Group E in 2019 (also in Lennon’s second spell).

Brown explained: “One of the reasons we achieved what we did under him was the fact that he kicked every ball when he was on the sidelines.

“He shouted, he screamed. We could hear him sometimes and sometimes we chose not to hear him as well (laughs). But, no, he was brilliant for us.

“In domestic Games and in European Games, his leadership qualities and his desire to win came to dire and, added to that, his man-management and his skills were really, really good.

“He knew how to get the best out of the players, and that is the most important for a football manager and his record speaks for itself with what he has achieved in the game.”

In the end, Celtic and Lennon parted ways for the final time following a disastrous 2020/21 campaign; nevertheless, his achievements on the domestic and European stage cannot be understated.

Various Hoops’ sides assembled by the Lurgan-born man were a force to be reckoned with at one point in time, and it remains to be seen where his next challenge lies in the footballing world.