HAVING captained Celtic throughout their record-equalling run of nine consecutive Scottish titles, Scott Brown’s leadership qualities are beyond doubt.

Brown, though, has had an abundance of help from those around him, not least his fellow midfielder Callum McGregor.

The Parkhead skipper has revealed the growing influence that McGregor, who has been widely tipped to succeed him as skipper one day, now exerts in the dressing room.

And as the 34-year-old looked forward to a return to training next week, he admitted the Scotland internationalist has been an invaluable help during the coronavirus crisis

Brown, who turns 35 later this month, has no intention of either relinquishing his role as Celtic’s on and off-field leader or retiring from playing any time soon.

Not with 10-In-A-Row up for grabs in the 2020/21 campaign.

However, he intimated that whenever he finally does there will be a ready-made replacement for him in the squad. 

“You know that people will follow someone like Callum because he is a top-quality player with drive and belief,” he said.

“I give him the respect that he deserves because he goes in and he speaks to all of the lads. He’s always got time and he’s a proper professional as well.

“When we were dealing with stuff when this (the shutdown) all began to happen, he was my go-to man. He came up with a lot of things and has helped me out with a lot of the lads as well.

“It’s the mark of a captain that he can easily fall into that role. In the last year and a half I’d say, he’s got that proper willingness, drive and self-belief. When he talks before games now, all of the lads listen, which is brilliant.

“Maybe three or four years ago, Cal might have said something and it might not have had the same effect. He maybe wouldn’t have felt himself that he could or should be saying it.

“But now everyone knows what Callum has done in the game and they listen. He’s a top-quality player who speaks very well at the same time. They have put that trust in him as well.

“When he has been captain, I have been in the dressing room and speaks well. I know he’s the vice, but it’s me and him who speak before the games as we chat away and relax.

“The lads will always listen to both of us, but he speaks out so well and it's those important things that he says. The thing is, he’s only going to get better because he is still young.”

McGregor broke into the first team at Celtic when Ronny Deila was in charge and then established himself as an indispensable starter during Brendan Rodgers’ reign as manager.

Brown has been pleased that Neil Lennon has kept faith in the player, who  has been shortlisted for the SFWA Footballer of the Year award as a result of him outstanding displays at home and abroad, since taking over last year.

“The gaffer has put a lot of trust into Callum,” he said. “He had him when he was here to start with when he was in and around the first team and out on loan.

“He understands what a top-quality player he is because he has everything in his locker. Callum has that turn of pace to go past someone, he can drive, he’s aware and has the ability to find team-mates with passes and he can pop up with huge goals for us at the same time.

“You can look at him as being the driving force in the middle of the park for us going from Brendan’s time onto Neil’s time now.  

“Callum has also got that composure as well and he dictates the pace of the game. He’s always on show to take the ball and he rarely gives it away, which is a great trait to have.

“He’s the first name onto the team sheet because he brings so much to the side.”