BT Sport pundit Scott McDonald has claimed that Scott Brown might want to quit Celtic and join Western Melbourne because of the massive change in lifestyle.
Brown, 33, has spent the last 11 and a half years at Celtic Park, but his contract expires at the end of the season and the Sydney Morning Herald has reported that the midfielder has been offered a £16,000-a-week deal by A-League newcomers Western Melbourne.
Ex-Celtic and Australia forward McDonald believes that the stress of living in Scotland while playing for the Bhoys could force club captain Brown into calling it a day on his spell at Parkhead so that he can choose a more relaxing end to his playing career.
“It is an amazing lifestyle. I was brought up there myself,” McDonald said about Australia, as quoted by the Scottish Sun.
“Melbourne has great beach life, city life, and is very appealing. You can see why Scott Brown would possibly want to go.
“At times, the demands put on you as a Celtic or Rangers player are very tough.
“You can’t even go and enjoy time with the family and walk out on the street.
“It can be difficult, and Brown has had to put up with that for ten or 11 years.
“Going to Australia gives the chance to lead more of a normal family life, and that may appeal.”
OPINION
McDonald makes a very good point. Obviously all players want to win medals and play for as long as they possibly can. Brown will go down as a Celtic legend, no matter what happens between now and when he does eventually leave the club, and no one will hold it against him if he wants to try his hand Down Under with Western Melbourne. Brown has suffered with injuries and a drop in form this season. The Hoops’ key player will see that and be more gutted by it than anyone, which is why he may consider leaving Celtic for Western Melbourne. They are offering good money and it could be a very nice ending to his career if he does go to Australia. It can be horrible to play for Celtic, or Rangers, at times. Brown has done well at staying away from it, but you constantly see stories, images or videos of players being harassed in Glasgow when they are just trying to go about with their lives. Brown won’t get that in Australia.