Former Rangers star Alex Rae has blasted “classless” Scott Brown over his Pittodrie pantomime villain act.
The Aberdeen skipper was back to his theatrical best last week, whipping the Dons support into a frenzy as Stephen Glass’ team held Rangers to a frustrating 1-1 draw.
But former Ibrox midfielder Rae failed to see the funny side as Brown mockingly waved Ryan Kent off down the tunnel when the Gers winger was sent-off.
Rae has no problem with Brown living up to his hard-man image but blasted the ex-Celtic hero’s play-acting, which he believes fooled referee Kevin Clancy into showing the Ibrox winger a second yellow.
Rae said: “You know what you get with Scott Brown.
“You build up a reputation of someone who wants to put yourself about a bit.
“But when you start throwing yourself to the floor, well that’s not really for me.
“That’s not decrying the boy’s success, because he’s one of the most decorated players in Scottish football.
“But when you see someone who’s supposed to be a captain mocking a fellow pro after they’ve been sent off having conned the ref, I think it shows a little bit of a lack of class.”
But Kevin Thomson has leapt to Brown’s defence after former Rangers and Scotland stopper Colin Hendry also savaged the Aberdeen midfielder.
Speaking on BBC Sportsound, Hendry said: "That's not what captains do. Take the armband off, hand it to somebody else and go and do your Robbie Savage stint."
But Ex-Gers favourite Thomson - who shared a dressing room with Brown at Hibs - insists it's up to rival players to stop taking his pal’s bait.
The Kelty Hearts gaffer said: "If you can't deal with Scott Brown winding you up then that's your problem.
"I played with and against Scott and he's one of my good mates - I'd go to the gutter for him any day of the week and vice versa.
"I love him to bits and I've had to say that in front of 500 Rangers fans in a social club before and get booed - but I won't change for anyone and it's the same for Scott.
"When we played in Old Firms against each other there was no banter - we went to war. When I played with him we went to war together.
"You would want him in the trenches with you and Aberdeen have landed on their feet getting Scott Brown.
"He's been on one side of the Old Firm and one side doesn't like him and the other love him."
Rae was speaking at the Charlie Miller Football Academy Tournament at Toryglen. The event, sponsored by the Nick Maughan Foundation, saw 500 children from across Glasgow take part in two days of action.
