Scott Brown admits it will be emotional to bid farewell to Celtic after 14 years but he'd rather leave on his own terms than be an old player trying to convince the new manager he can still cope.
The Hoops captain will depart, as he puts it, "out the backdoor" with no fanfare from supporters who still are unable to watch games inside the stadium due to Covid restrictions.
Which is a shame for 35-year-old Brown who has spent the best part of his career in green and white starring in front of the Celtic support. He heads north to work as player/assistant manager at Aberdeen, a role he is desperately excited to begin under Stephen Glass.
🗣️ @ScottBrown8 reflects on his life at #CelticFC and his highlights in the Hoops 🍀⚪️
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) May 11, 2021
Watch the exclusive Broony interview on our special pre-#CELSTJ show, tomorrow from 5:15pm on @CelticFCPass.#ThankYouBroony 💚 pic.twitter.com/H8bNWB1OCp
We told recently how Brown's decision was made, in part, by the unknown of who Celts will bring in to replace Neil Lennon as manager. And the player himself admits he would find it difficult to convince the next head coach that he can still do the business at the same high level.
Speaking to Celtic TV ahead of his final game at Parkhead, Brown said: "I have enjoyed it, it's emotional that it's coming to the end and I will be sad but I think, for me, it's the right time for me to go. I'm gonna be 36 in the summer and, whoever whether it's John or a new manager that comes in, I don't want to start again at 36, running about the park saying, 'Gaffer I swear I can still run about and play'.
"Being assistant coach at Aberdeen is a great start for me and it's a good club as well.
"I never thought my last game at Celtic Park I'd have no fans but it's probably the best way to go out. Go out the backdoor, go out quietly. It's been fantastic playing in front of the fans and it's just sad I can't say goodbye in person on that day. It's just one of these things and hopefully I get a chance to maybe do that later on."
ends
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