John Hartson is glad that Celtic midfielder Scott Brown has stayed at the club, as he thinks the team are a lot better with him it than without.
He believes that there is no player better than the 33-year-old to motivate his Hoops teammates to win the Scottish Premiership title this season, adding that he still has “unfinished business” with the club.
Hartson says that he was impressed with the way the mainstay – who has played 33 times in all competitions so far this season – played against St Johnstone at the weekend, saying that he performed as if a weight had been taken off his shoulders.
“He knows his own capabilities. He is a captain and a leader and I think he still has unfinished business at Celtic. And I don’t think there is anyone better at the minute to drive Celtic onto the title this season,” he said in his Evening Times column.
“I think in recent games he has played as though there is a weight off his mind. He really drove Celtic on to that win over St Johnstone at the weekend. There was no panic in the play as the minutes ticked away and it was Brown’s pass that teed up Weah to set up James Forrest for the breakthrough.
“I just think Brown’s personality needs the challenge that comes with playing for Celtic. The intensity and the constant pressure. I think that is what he thrives on and Celtic are a far better team with him in there than they are without him.”
OPINION
There is no doubting that Scott Brown is a hugely important player for Celtic at the moment, so Hartson is spot on to praise him in the way that he has. The fact that Brown is now staying at the club amid speculation linking him with a move abroad will certainly be a boost to the rest of the team, and even though he is sometimes not the most technical of players, you can tell that he gives 100% whenever he can. Hartson said that the Hoops are a much better team with him in it, and to be honest, he is not far wrong. He provides the leadership qualities that the team needs in order to get better, and without him in there, Celtic are less likely to win the title. This is why he is so crucial to their success, and why he should be valued very highly by the fans.