OPINION
There are very few current Celtic stars idolised more than midfield enforcer and club captain Scott Brown – but at 33-years-old, Brendan Rodgers must be thinking about finding someone to fill the void when he eventually ends his time with the Bhoys.
The Scottish midfielder has made 473 appearances for the Hoops and, barring some extraordinary occurrence, will break the 500 match barrier next season.
Those are some mighty big boots to fill for whoever is chosen to succeed him in the first team squad, but it appears as though Brown has given his stamp of approval for a man that the club have been heavily linked with signing this summer.
As reported by the Daily Record, the Hoops have been in hot pursuit of Hibernian’s John McGinn as he heads into the final year of his contract, and while he is not yet part of the first team squad at Celtic Park, Brown believes he would be a fine addition to Brendan Rodgers’ armoury.
Delivering his rave review, he told the Daily Record: “He has taken Hibs by the scruff of the neck and strolled through most of the games in the Premiership last season.
“He wants to fight, he wants to battle. He’s one of the strongest ones there is. Everyone says you would want him beside you rather than against you. A great left foot, he’s strong, he wants to win the ball back. He also has a goal in him so he has pretty much everything you need.
“John is fantastic. Everyone knows how good a player he is. Whatever happens will happen.”
While there will no doubt be comparisons made between McGinn and Brown for their style of play, the 10-year age gap means that the Hibs man has some way to go before emulating the Celtic man’s record – but playing alongside his fellow countryman could take him to the next level.
Learning alongside Brown, and eventually stepping into his shoes, puts McGinn on the path to becoming a Parkhead hero – all that is left to do is for Rodgers to seal a deal.