Scott Brown reckons he’d have loved bossing the midfield in Ange Postecoglou’s unrelenting Celtic side. Maybe just not at the age of 37.
The former Hoops hero has watched on wide eyed as the Australian boss implemented his rigorous game plan at Parkhead with all the smoothness and speed of a Kyogo burst over 10 yards. Brown missed being a part of it by a matter of months after ending his 14-year trophy-laden spell in the east end of Glasgow to finish his playing days at Aberdeen last season.
But now, as he takes his first steps into management himself at Fleetwood Town, the ex-Parkhead skipper admits watching his old side in action under Postecoglou is an education in itself. The flows and patterns of play, the rotations, the former Parkhead skipper insists “just watching Ange and how the lads play I am still learning.” But if he could pinch 15 minutes of the Aussie’s time to pick his brains what would he ask?
Brown said: “If I could steal a couple of his players I’d rather have that if possible! He was fantastic with me when I came back to Celtic Park with Aberdeen. He said to walk around the stadium and go and take the applause that you are due.
“That’s not for me doing that with another strip on. But even small details like that and other managers I’ve spoken to speak really highly of him as well.
“Would I have enjoyed playing for Ange? I think I would have. I’m not so sure I would enjoy playing for him at 37! I’d be struggling to keep up with the lads, that’s for sure.”
Brown was back in Glasgow to promote an evening he is hosting alongside Mikael Lustig to say a proper goodbye to Hoops supporters. The 37-year-old year-old cuts a different character now he’s the man in charge at Fleetwood.
The trademark skinhead has gone. The snarling on-field general has handed over those duties to his players. Even the regular confrontations with officials has been delegated to his coaching staff.
Brown led Fleetwood to an impressive 2-0 win at Derby County at the weekend to lift The Fishermen to the safe realms of 12th in League One.
And he said: “I’m more chilled out than most people would think. It’s more about the team.
“It’s not about me losing the plot here and there and showing I can shout. Everyone knows you can shout. It’s about understanding the tactics, the changes of shape and the personnel.
“When I played I didn’t need to worry about sorting out formations or shapes. I could have a go at the referee and it was probably better that the captain had a go than the manager. For me now it’s better that an assistant or the goalie coach has a say so I can get back into the changing room and make sure I am organised.
“Half time is huge for us, whether changing shape or personnel or having to go with the flow when you’ve had a man sent off after 42 minutes against one of the best teams we have players this season (Burnley in the FA Cup) and they are all possession-based and are probably going to go up to the Premier League.
“For us to hold out for 89 minutes was exceptional. I’m not too sure if the lads had any more fight and willingness and desire to go for another half hour.
“You still get that buzz as a manager because you’ve set up the lads and the way they have worked. Whether it’s rotation or a change of shape or a change of personnel, if it comes off you know you’ve made the right choice and you get a buzz because you’ve made the right decision at the right time.
“I’ve made a couple of wrong decisions too but I’m young, I’m learning and there’s no better place for me to learn.”
Brown might have chilled but one of his first signings was to make sure he had a replica of his old self in charge of the Fleetwood dressing room. Step forward Shaun Rooney, who has been a revelation since moving south from St Johnstone.
Brown said: “You need personality in the dressing room. We’ve got Shaun Rooney and I tell you what, that’s a personality and a half!
“He’s been brilliant, our second top goalscorer. His willingness and desire to come down from Scotland and give this an opportunity.
“He sets standards in training, moans at the lads when they don’t win games – whether that’s 5-a-side or a Saturday. You want good people that want you to do well, but also want to be better themselves. They want to go up the leagues, to try and thrive as much as possible.
“That’s what you need to be a professional footballer.”
Brown spent his entire playing career in Scotland with Hibs, Celtic and Aberdeen. But does his future in the dugout involve a return north of the border?
He said: “For me, it’s concentrating as much as I possibly can on Fleetwood. Then, at the end of the season, looking forward to this event, seeing Lusto’s face and seeing a lot of the Celtic fans as well.”
A Night with Scott Brown and Mikael Lustig will be held at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow on Thursday, May 18, with proceeds to go to the Celtic Foundation.
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