Sky Sports pundit and former Celtic favourite Kris Commons believes that Brendan Rodgers must not play Scott Brown in Thursday’s massive match at home to RB Salzburg in the UEFA Europa League.
Brown has been kept out of the team of late due to the incredible form of Callum McGregor and Ryan Christie, but Commons thinks that the Hoops boss may be tempted to bring his captain back into the team for the crucial European tie.
The former Celtic attacking midfielder feels that would be a risk.
Writing in his Daily Mail column, the 35-year-old said:
Brendan Rodgers must fight all of his natural urges and resist the temptation to play Scott Brown against Red Bull Salzburg on Thursday night.
It’s just not the right time. Brown doesn’t quite seem 100-per-cent fit just now. That’s part of the issue.
It’s understandable. The game against Motherwell last week was the first time he had completed 90 minutes since the end of September. But, more than that, I just don’t see how he gets into this Celtic team on current form.
Brown is still an excellent player. Nobody is denying that.
But, with so much on the line, it would actually be more of a gamble for Rodgers to play him than not play him.
It’s undeniable that Celtic look a better side right now with Brown out of the team and although his achievements in a Celtic shirt can’t be overstated, Commons is right to say that he shouldn’t start against Salzburg.
The Hoops need to be aggressive against the Austrians and take the game to them in a toe-to-toe battle, approaching it in any other way is setting us up for a frustrating night.
Brown is still a massive influence on the squad whether in or out of the team and playing wise Callum McGregor is streaks ahead right now.
Whether Rodgers agrees remains to be seen.
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