Ex-Hibernian boss Bobby Williamson has suggested that Craig Levein’s comments about Celtic’s Scott Brown are intended as a wind-up.
Williamsom revealed that if the Hearts manager was serious about criticising the Hoops midfielder for his aggressive style of the play, then he was a hypocrite as he regularly called Brown up for international duty when in charge of Scotland.
“I couldn’t understand Craig’s comments after the Celtic game,” admitted Williamson, as quoted by the Scottish Sun.
“I don’t think he’d any complaints about the way Scott played when he was picking him regularly for Scotland.
“Listen, sometimes Scott doesn’t help himself, I can remember one game when he was at Hibs when he was up against Neil Lennon and Alan Thompson at Celtic Park and the two of them kicked him all over the place.
“But I couldn’t understand Craig’s comments, knowing Scott as he does, unless it was intended as a wind-up.”
Levein and Brown have been locked in a war of words since the midfielder’s challenge on Hearts midfielder Harry Cochrane, as the 16-year-old suffered a broken collarbone due to the collision.
The Hearts manager told the Scottish Sun following his side’s 3-1 defeat to the Bhoys that everyone needed more “protection” from Brown.
The Bhoys midfielder then got booked in his side’s next game to Kilmarnock, which had him accusing Levein of making comments about him in order to get him booked.
“He has done his job, hasn’t he?” said Brown, as quoted by the Scottish Sun.
“I was booked with my first foul and I think that is exactly what Craig was looking to do.”
Levein denied that he was responsible for Brown’s yellow card as he said “I disagree completely”, as quoted by the Scottish Sun,when asked about the 32-year-old’s accusation.
OPINION
Hopefully Williamsom’s comments will make Levein realise he should just stop commenting on the Celtic midfielder. The Hearts boss started the argument as he was disappointed to lose Cochrane to injury and this argument really is a storm in the teacup. Williamsom pointing out that Levein used to regular play Brown when he was Scotland’s manager, just makes him look foolish. Levein is no doubt getting to the stage where he realises that he should have just kept his opinions to himself, as this negative publicity is helping neither himself or Brown. The worrying thing about this debate is that it all started due to concern over Cochrane’s injury but no one seems to be talking about him anymore.