BROWN COULD FACE BENCH DUTY

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan insists Scott Brown is not guaranteed a recall for Sunday's Old Firm clash with Rangers despite the 9/164.4million midfielder being free from suspension.
Brown has served a three-match ban and is available once again to Strachan, but The team's victories in each of the games he has missed could count against the former Hibernian man, and he may only make the bench.
In Brown's absence, former Dundee United captain Barry Robson has slotted into the centre of midfield and helped Celtic to victories over Motherwell, Rangers and Aberdeen. ``Scott is back and that gives me a dilemma. If you don't win the three games, the decision is a bit easier, but we did win the games,'' Strachan told Celtic View. The Hoops boss hopes Brown regrets the run of yellow cards which led to his ban. ``It was a self-inflicted wound for Scott,'' said Strachan.
``It's like being in the army in the 1950s. If you got sunburnt in the army,
they put you in prison for two weeks. It's been self-inflicted wounds and he'll learn from that.''
Strachan will certainly allocate a place to Aiden McGeady when he selects his side to face Rangers, after the winger tormented Walter Smith's side during Celtic's 2-1 win at Parkhead on April 16.
The new PFA Scotland player of the year has shown dazzling form this season, moving him well ahead of the likes of Derek Riordan, his one-time rival for a place on the left flank, in Strachan's plans.
Strachan claims there are players who could learn from McGeady's dedication to self-improvement. ``Aiden has gone to a different level,'' said Strachan.
``There are a number of reasons, but he's listened and that's a great thing. ``He's worked on his shape and there are other people with similar ability in the game, who don't work hard enough. They think that ability is enough, but it's not.''

 

*?

of course he shouldn't be in the team, hartley and robbo are the best CM partnership we've had all year

 

hartley n robbo for me

 

He'd be crazy to start Brown...but bringing him on with 15-20 mins to go when the Huns are tired is no a bad option..

 

Sounds good.

 

Bench all the way

 

I agree he has to start on the bench as Robson's playing at a better standard than him at the moment.Hopefully WGS picks the same team as last Wednesday because Donati was woeful in the first half against the Dons(second half he wasnt that much better though). If Hinkel's not 100% fit I'd also give young Caddis a start as he's been magnificent in the reserves and handled hiself well in the few appearences for the full team this season. Did any of you notice the slight hint at why Riordan doesnt get a game? WGS saying Aidan puts the work in rather than relying on just ability like others i.e. Riordan

 

brown better start on the bench, cant get rid of a winning formula
off the bench last 30/20 mins would be best as he would run them raggard

 

BENCHHHHHED.

 

I'm afraid its Bench City for you Mister Brown !!

The masses have spoken !!

 

I'd be surprised if Brown starts, he has missed 3 games + Robson is performing better

 

Good to see Strachan recognising Brown should realistically be benched.

 

either way i'm glad he's back. in the middle of the park who did we have to bring on? sno? lol.
his enegry is never in doubt and against a tired huns might just work a treat

 

Hartley and Robson for sunday the midfield has done well without brown in it. but i have a feeling strachan might start him.

 

i for one hope he is benched. donati has taken a lot of stick over the last few months and brown has imo been far worse. i would like to see donati get another crack at it with robson. you never know he might wake up on sunday

 

Strachan on Broonaldo

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan has said midfielder Scott Brown is not guaranteed an instant return to the side to face Rangers on Sunday - suggesting a light has finally flicked on inside the wee man's head.

Scotland international Brown missed the wins against Motherwell, Rangers and Aberdeen through suspension and Barry Robson slotted into the team with disarming aplomb. Now the onus is on the £4.4million Brown to prove he is worth of a return.

Strachan also labelled Brown's problem as a "self-inflicted wound" and hopes he learns his lesson. The boss also dropped a clear hint that former Dundee United skipper Robson will retain his place for Sunday's crucial clash at Parkhead.

Strachan told the Celtic View: "Scott is back and that gives me a dilemma. If you don't win the three games, the decision is a bit easier, but we did win the games.

"It was a self-inflicted wound for Scott. It's like being in the army in the 1950s. If you got sunburnt in the army, they put you in prison for two weeks. It's been self-inflicted wounds and he'll learn from that."

So has Strachan finally seen the light? Has he, at this late stage in his third season at the club, finally realised it is essential to select teams on form rather than price-tag? Hopefully, and with the fixture pile-up now facing Walter Smith's anti-footballers, it may be just in time.


Source: Vital Celtic


I am happy enough with this. Robbo has given us a bit more flair and I'm sure he'll cause the hun no end of problems on Sunday.



Just noticed another thread similar to this. Sorry but can a mod merge this with that one?

 

As long as Hartley's fit. If not i'd bring Brown back in.

 

Think it's almost unanimous with the support than Broon should continue to sqaure * the bench for a while to we either lose a midfielder to injury, suspension or we lose. He doesn't deserve to start on merit...so bench it is. Maybe he'll learn to keep the heid more and stop flapping around like a muppet and get less bookings!