So here we are. Less than three hours before the kick off in what is arguably the biggest game in Celtic’s history since Lisbon ’67. This Celtic team stand on the brink of immortality not only in the eye’s of the Scottish game, but the world. A Quadruple Treble has never been achieved before at any level in association football and the opportunity before this team is massive. That’s why Neil Lennon does not have the “selection dilemma” that many in the media and fan base are predicting. Scott Brown MUST play today.
Now before I am shot down by claims of sentimentality I can assure you this is not the case. This game requires a Captain, our Captain. We need a strong mentality on that Hampden pitch today and there is no one, absolutely no one else I would rather see out there at Hampden leading the team than Scott Brown.
He is without doubt the greatest Celtic captain since Billy McNeill. No one comes close. His medal haul tells you all you need to know about the man. He is a born winner. I wrote an article recently setting out my reasons why Brown should play and I stand by that. Many are looking at young Soro’s displays in his last two appearances and are calling for the young Ivorian to play ahead of Brown but for me that is madness for two reasons.
Soro has only played two full 90 minutes for the Hoops and before that he only has a 38 minute cameo. He has played well when called upon and he definitely has a future at the club to possibly take over the role Brown has in the team when the skipper finally hangs up his boots. But now is not the time. The second reason is obviously the magnitude of this game. There is far too much riding on this final to put that type of pressure on the young man. And that is unfair.
I agree that Brown has not hit the heights of his heady days this season but I always remember a phrase bandied about when a team or player performances are not up to scratch. “Form is temporary, class is permanent”.