Scott Brown admits he has no interest in any pre-match wind-ups or mind games ahead of facing old foe Joey Barton.
The former Rangers midfielder previously stated that the legendary Celtic skipper was 'nowhere near' his level on his arrival to Scotland's top flight under Mark Warburton. However, his one Old Firm derby ended in a 5-1 thrashing by Brown and Co in a result that proved to be the beginning of the end for Barton at Ibrox.
Six years on the duo are both in the dugout with Fleetwood and Bristol Rovers set to lock horns next weekend in English League One. As things stand there is nothing to separate the two sides with both locked on 20 points and just one spot in the table between them. The Celtic hero is ready for the battle - but he won't be turning it into a personal grudge match insisting it's all about the teams doing the talking on the park.
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He praised the former Rangers flop as a 'fantastic manager' during his time at the Cod Army and says at present he is doing a 'great job'.
He told the Daily Record: “You play those mind games and can do whatever you want as players. But, as manager, it’s completely different now. You’ve got to have respect for your opponents and respect for your fellow managers.
"Joey has done a great job. He was a fantastic manager here at Fleetwood as well. He’s doing it now at Bristol Rovers.
“There won’t be any pre-match wind-ups whatsoever – from me anyway. We’ll be fine.
"It’s about our teams doing the talking on the park. It’s a huge game – going away to Bristol will be tough, they’ve had some good recent results. We’ll look forward to that one but it’s not all about me, it’s about my players and I’ve got to help them be at their best.”
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