Brown tells football to “man up” after calls for red card

Scott Brown has hit back at claims he should have been sent off on Saturday saying football needs to “man up.”

The Celtic captain was criticised by Hearts manager Robbie Neilson and Saturday’s goalscorer Jamie Walker amongst others for his challenge, but Brown isn’t fazed by their comments.

In the opening minutes of their clash with the Jambos at Paradise, the 30-year-old went in two-footed and won the ball, however, referee Bobby Madden blew for a free-kick and nothing more.

As quoted by the Herald Scotland, Brown commented on the tackle, saying:

Some people have said it was a bad one but I haven’t had time to look at. I don’t go into hurt anyone.

In football, there is too much focus on a wee slide tackle here or there. We need to man up about it. Football is a contact sport and you have to deal with some tackles – and I am not saying mine was great or a bad one.

The Hoops midfielder hasn’t been at his best since returning from a knee injury that required surgery back in November.

Brown usually has a tenacious side to his game and his presence in the middle of the park allows Celtic to dictate play.

But, he has struggled for a number of games now and looks to have returned to action too soon from surgery.

Nevertheless, the captain continues to lead the team onto the park that have lost just once since his return to action.

Celtic and Brown will hope to continue that streak tonight (Tuesday), and extend their lead over Aberdeen to seven points with a win against Dundee.