Scott Brown knew the time had come to hang up his boots.
An evening of Tynecastle torment as an Aberdeen player confirmed he had made the right decision. And one year on, Brown recognises that huge career call as the best switch of his life. The Celtic legend is 12 months retired this week and has no regrets about quitting the Dons early.
The final game of his glittering 20-year career was a 2-0 defeat to Hearts. Brown admits that was a nightmare way to bow out but, long-term, it was a brilliant idea. For it led to him fully concentrating on being a boss before landing up at Fleetwood Town. He’s loving life as gaffer of the Cod Army who are marching up the League One table and in FA Cup fifth-round action at Burnley on Wednesday. On the equivalent midweek in 2022, Brown gave it one last shot for Dons even though he knew he’d leave Pittodrie. "That year has gone quite quickly,” Brown reflected. “It was definitely the right time for me to retire. I’m not a big fan of having to man-mark people when I’m 36!
