Brown on why he always believed Celtic would beat Rangers

Celtic captain Scott Brown was in a bullish mood after his side defeated Rangers 2-0 in the Scottish Cup semi-final on Sunday, saying that the team knew that they would win the tie if they performed at their normal level.

Brown put in a Man of the Match performance as his side kept their dream of a domestic treble alive and after the game, he told  the Glasgow Evening Times that Celtic are the best team in the country.

We enjoyed that and played really well. It was a really professional performance from start to finish. We knew if we’d turn up we’d win the game and we did that.

We knew they were going to sit deep and couldn’t press us, they don’t have the legs that we’ve got or the quality. We knew if we turned up, then we’re the best team in Scotland and we showed that again today.

Brown also spoke about the semi-final defeat to Rangers last year and said that the team simply didn’t turn up on that day, but they made up for it by proving their quality at Hampden Park on Sunday afternoon.

The semi-final last year we were disappointed. It was the worst we could ever play, the best they could ever play. And they got lucky on penalties. That was going to be a hit or a miss. But we’ve shown our quality again today and managed to get through.

The 31-year-old still does not know if he’ll be available for selection next weekend as his appeal against his suspension will take place on Thursday, but he is confident that his side can win without him and the injured Moussa Dembele.

I’ve got to go up to the SFA now and see if my appeal comes through and if I can play on Saturday or not. If not then someone else will come in. It is always going to be different going to Ibrox.

They’ve got to come out and try and press and create chances, especially with being at home. But they’re going to be scared with the pace we’ve got on the counter attack. We’ve got no worries about Leigh [Griffiths] coming in.

He might now get a run in the team and he’ll show his qualities. But we all know what he can do. He scored 40 goals last season. He’s been a little bit unlucky with injuries this season. When Moussa’s been injured, he’s been injured.

He’s been waiting for his opportunity. He does it in training every day, he scores goals and works so hard it’s incredible. It’s just now about him getting a chance. It would appear he’s going to get game time now and he can show everybody what he can do.

Celtic will now await the decision of his red card appeal, although he could be given a well earned break regardless to begin preparations for next month’s Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen.