Broonie: The Best Club Captain Since Cesar?

OK, obviously this is going to divide opinions, but think could be the foundation for an interesting debate and shared opiinions.

Is Scott Brown the best captain we have had since the days of Billy McNeill?

Obviously there are so many different factors that can be taken into account when considring the qualities of a captain, irrespective of their on field ability or position. For some, they spent years at the club or elsewhere before getting a run with the proverbial armband, for others the challenges that faced them was every bit as much off the field as it was on it.

Take, for example, Paul McStay. His time as the captain was during a period when there was so much uncertainty about what was happening off the park, let alone (and lets be honest here) the fact that (Collins, Boyd and one or two others aside) he was not exactly surrounded by players of his calibre, so there were all sorts of different pressures he had to contend with.

All too often players do not get to be the captain until the last couple of years of their career. Lambert, McNamara, Lennon are all examples of this. For some, it is a verbal deal, for others purely leading by example. And compared to these, Brown has had a lot longer to develop in the role, so I guess this needs taking into account also.

But in Scott Brown we have a man that has been with the club since 2007 and has been skipper since basically coming back from that ankle problem that he had been dealing with since WGS last season at the helm. And in that time he has really grown into the role, not only for his tenacity on the pitch but by the spirit he has carried over from Lenny, through Ronnie and now under Rodgers.

Must say something about the regard that each has held him in.

Today was yet another fine example of what he brings to the team. For the first 25min or so the Orcs were dominating, winning the 50/50 balls etc. In steps Brown and leading from the front really got the team to lift, dug into the midfield battle, gpt booked in the process (but when it revs up the team like he did, totally worth it), fought over every drop ball, and really drove the team to lift their game and get us back into the contest when, for a while there, it seemed like we were drifting. He lead from the front, lead by example and never stopped cajolling those around him, displaying exemplary purpose in gettign his team mates to follow suit.

Not going to lie - there have been times when I have been highly critical of him as a player, especially back in the Strachan and Mowbray days, when, partially because of the ankle injury, he always seemed to be trying too hard to prove himself and because of which too often seemed like a headless chook, all too often because of being so raged was constantly that half a second too late or get dragged out of position, but he has come a long way since those days.

There have been plenty of superb Celtic players over the years that have lead the team, from McGrain & Aitken right through, and am not looking at denegrate any of these fine individuals that have held the honour of leading the club, nor expressing any particular opinion of my own on this matter, but it is worth the debate and he definitely deserves to be in the conversation.

Have we had better since the days of Cesar?

Discuss.

 

Don't know enough about Celtic history or the greatness of many past players, so can't really argue for or against here.

All I will say is that Broony's been an outstanding captain for a number of years. Leads by example, plays hard, leaves everything on the pitch, and loves and connects with the fans. Everything you'd want in a captain.

 

Wouldn't go that far, part of it I think is we've lacked real leaders for some time; after Lenny retired it was McManus, with Caldwell and occasionally O'Dea taking over sometimes. These guys were not Celtic captain material, even Broony was lacking when he first got the armband.

 

In my time yes

 

It's definitely not an outlandish suggestion imo , especially as he has been part of a hugely successful period. He could well captain us to the ten if he looks after himself.

 

Very different teams and circumstances but think mcstay would be my choice and king kenny wasn't too bad either

 

One word... Yes

 

Disservice to a few saying that. Mc stay, boyd and Lennon were all great captains in my lifetime. Granted mc stays was toward the end of his career.

 

Absolutley not.

Broony has been quite lucky to be captain during the better times.

 

What do you mean by lucky?

 

Er that he is lucky to be enjoying the good times and not the bad times.

 

No brainer for me, yes. A legend. One of our greats in the modern era.

 

We might be saying the same thing about Tierney in 10 years time.

 

Does that take away from him as a captain though?

Is Brendan Rodgers lucky to be enjoying good times?

 

Did i say it took away anything from him ?
But to answer you...no.

Yes Brendan is lucky to be enjoying the good times also.

 

Well considering the question being asked in the thread then yeah that's what it seemed like you were saying.

I was only asking because I was unsure what you meant by it, but I get you now. Who do you think have been better captains, out of curiosity?

 

In my time of watching.

Paul Mc Stay
Tom Boyd

 

Stopping the ten with Tom Boyd as captain comes ahead of it for me. The significance of that can't be underestimated.

 

Im too young to really remember Celtic captains and their contributions prior to Lambert so don't think I'm in a position to answer.

That being said Brown will go down in the clubs history books, captaining us to so many titles and into the knockout stages of Europe twice, with hopefully more to come. He is the second most successful in terms of trophies isn't he?

He's been pretty much integral in all of that success, barring last season he's been extremely consistent and a good, solid leader. I think his name has to be taken into consideration at least.

 

He is certainly up there as one of the best since Ceaser .
I would have Broony on a par with McStay , Aitken and Lambert .