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BOSSING IT
Celtic hero Scott Brown reveals three former managers he goes to for advice as he outlines the key traits each boss has
He says the arrival of one manager helped 'turn around' his career
CELTIC legend Scott Brown has spoken of his admiration for the late, great Walter Smith as he approaches the 100-game mark in the dug-out.
Ayr United boss Brown opened his heart on SunSport’s new YouTube series One-on-One - in-depth interviews with the country’s leading managers - which launched tonight.
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The 39-year-old also revealed three top managerial names he rates his biggest influences as he strives to reach the top himself following a sensational 20-year playing career with Hibs, Celtic, Aberdeen and Scotland.
Brendan Rodgers, Neil Lennon and Gordon Strachan are his most trusted confidantes outside of his No2 and close pal Steven Whittaker.
Gers icon Smith - one of the club’s most successful managers who sadly died in October, 2021 - gave Brown the first of his 55 Scotland caps as a sub against USA at Hampden in November, 2005 - and also tried to take him to Ibrox in 2007 but lost out to Celtic for his signature.
He left an unforgettable impression on the Dunfermline-born star.
Brown said: “Walter was fantastic.
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“He had that aura about him.
“Him and Coisty at the time and Tommy Burns, when we were at Scotland it was brilliant. Honestly, it was great.
“It was a great laugh, the three of them.
“You always knew Walter was the ONE, though.
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“He’d come in, he’d have a bit of banter with you but then he would leave — and these two would take the mickey out of you, they would join in with training, have a wee bit of banter.
“We did really well under Walter because of the circumstances with Tommy and Coisty and having that bit of banter.
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“But Walter was the main man in charge, it was about being mellow to him.”
Meanwhile, asked to name the managers he regards as mentor figures for his own hot-seat pathway, Brown didn’t take long to consider.
The former Fleetwood Town gaffer - he lasted 16-months in his first post before being sacked - said: “Brendan, Gordon and Lenny — I still speak to all three of them all the time.
“I ask Brendan for a lot of advice.
Scott Brown's career
- Early Years: Scott Brown began his professional career at Hibernian, making his debut in 2002. He quickly established himself as an energetic and combative midfielder, known for his tenacity and leadership qualities on the pitch. His performances earned him a reputation as one of the brightest young talents in Scottish football.
- Hibernian Success: Brown's time at Hibernian was marked by his contribution to the team's success, notably winning the Scottish League Cup in 2007. This victory was significant for Hibernian, as it was their first major trophy in 16 years. Brown's performances during this period attracted attention from larger clubs, including Celtic and Rangers.
- Move to Celtic: In 2007, Brown made a high-profile move to Celtic for a transfer fee of £4.4 million, a record at the time for a transfer between two Scottish clubs. His arrival at Celtic was seen as a major coup for the club, and he quickly became a central figure in their midfield.
- Celtic Captaincy: Brown was named captain of Celtic in 2010, a role he embraced with distinction. His leadership on and off the field was instrumental in Celtic's dominance of Scottish football during his tenure. Brown's captaincy is widely regarded as one of the most successful in the club's history.
- Trophy Haul: During his time at Celtic, Brown amassed an impressive collection of silverware. He won ten Scottish Premiership titles, six Scottish Cups, and six Scottish League Cups. His contributions were pivotal in Celtic's domestic success, including their famous "Invincibles" season in 2016-17 where they went unbeaten domestically under Brendan Rodgers.
- Individual Honours: Brown's individual accolades include being named the PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year twice, in 2009 and 2018. He was also a regular feature in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year, reflecting his consistent performances and influence in the Scottish Premiership.
- International Career: Brown earned 55 caps for the Scotland national team, scoring 4 goals. He captained the national team on several occasions, bringing his leadership skills to the international stage. His international career spanned over a decade, during which he was a key player for Scotland in various qualification campaigns.
- Aberdeen: In 2021, Brown joined Aberdeen as a player-coach. This move marked the beginning of his transition from playing to coaching. At Aberdeen, he continued to bring his experience and leadership to the team, while also gaining valuable coaching experience under manager Stephen Glass.
- Managerial Debut: In 2022, Brown was appointed the manager of Fleetwood Town, a club competing in League One, the third tier of English football. This was his first full managerial position, and he aimed to apply his extensive football knowledge and leadership skills to guide the team in a competitive league. He was sacked on September 3, 2023, following a poor start to the season.
- Ayr United: In 2023, Brown took on the role of head coach at Ayr United, continuing his managerial career in Scottish football. His appointment was seen as a significant step for the club, with expectations that Brown's experience and tactical acumen would help Ayr United achieve their ambitions in the Scottish Championship.
“Stracho’s just amazing — he’s a great personality, great human being, but also at the same time he’s got an understanding of this generation of football.
“What you want, how you have to maintain yourself, how you have to look after yourself.
“Lenny’s brilliant because he’s honest.
“Whether you were good or you were rubbish at the weekend, he’d tell you that as a player.
“And he does with other games as well.
“But also small things, like going away, he keeps in touch with texts and wee phone calls to make sure everything’s alright.
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“Even when he was away, just speaking to him and having that understanding.”
Ex-Liverpool manager Rodgers’ sensational appointment as Celtic manager in 2016 was a real eye-opener for Brown with his level of professionalism and demand.
Brown said: “It was more science based as well.
“Shape, structure, was very good, spot on. Time of movement, it had to be right.
“You always look at a manager and steal a few things.
“Brendan came in…body fat was a huge thing, distance covered, high speed had to be hit in training and in games.
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“You had to tick it off.
“We all got into a competition - me, Cal, James and other people.
“You’d start to look and think ‘I ran 12k, he ran 12.2. Right, I’m going to run 12.3 next week and make sure I’ve also got 102 touches, more than the others, more forward passes…
“I started to think: ‘The gaffer’s got me on toast here. He’s actually making me think and playing with my own mind.’
“Brendan came in and he was a huge turnaround - he probably kept me playing longer than I expected to play.
“For me he was spot on at the right time for a manager to come in and help me.
“What he brought to my game, not just desire but desire to look after myself and be the best I could possibly be.
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“And that was daily.”
*One-on-One with Scott Brown can be viewed on SunSport’s YouTube channel now with other in-depth interviews with top managers every Thursday.
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