Is Now the Time to Go and Get Scott Brown?

With Martin O’Neill himself admitting that Celtic will “soon enough” be looking for someone to replace him, it is only natural that supporters start asking the obvious question: who comes next?

And there is one name I keep coming back to.

Scott Brown.

Yes, I know.

He has his critics. His managerial career hasn’t exactly gone perfectly so far. He left Ayr United by mutual consent in March after a difficult run of results.

But hear me out.

Brown is currently available, he knows Celtic inside out, and he understands exactly what it means to play for this football club.

This is a man who spent 14 years at Celtic, made 620 appearances and captained the club through some of the most successful years in our modern history.

And interestingly, Hibs are now looking at him as a potential candidate.

David Gray was sacked this week and Brown has openly admitted that he would love to become the Hibs manager, although he acknowledged that there are certain steps that would need to happen first. 

So there is clearly an opportunity sitting in front of him.

But should Celtic be looking at it too?

I think we should.

We need someone who understands Celtic

Look at the problems we’re having right now.

A team that looks short of character. A midfield that lacks physicality. Players who don’t seem to understand the magnitude of certain games. A squad that looks weaker than it did a few years ago.

Then look at Scott Brown.

Whether you like it or not, you know he would get a reaction out of this team.

He understood pressure. He understood what it meant to wear that Celtic shirt.

And more importantly, he wasn’t afraid to demand standards from the players around him.

That’s something Celtic desperately need right now.

I’m not saying Brown should be given a long term contract but until the end of the season would be fine.

Does his experience at Celtic count for something?

Absolutely.

And if we’re genuinely entering a period where Martin O’Neill’s time is coming towards an end, I’d rather Celtic at least explore the possibility than automatically dismiss Brown because his first two managerial jobs haven’t worked out perfectly.

Could Celtic do any worse?

That’s ultimately where I am with it.

If O’Neill leaves, Celtic are going to have to make another managerial appointment.

Do we go down the usual route of searching for somebody who has never experienced Celtic, Scottish football or the pressure of managing this club?

Or do we look at someone who has lived it?

Brown is currently out of work. Hibs are interested but Celtic could potentially have an opportunity to bring one of our greatest modern captains back through the front door in a completely different role. 

Maybe it wouldn’t work.

Maybe Brown needs another job elsewhere before he’s ready for Celtic.

But with O’Neill openly discussing his eventual replacement, now is the time to at least have the conversation.

Could we really do any worse by giving him the opportunity?