Davie Hay criticises Celtic’s Scott Brown, feels his recent actions were irresponsible

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Celtic’s Scott Brown was sent off on Sunday evening.

Former Celtic boss Davie Hay has told the Glasgow Evening Times that he thought Scott Brown’s actions against Kilmarnock were ‘irresponsible’.

Celtic travelled to take on Kilmarnock on Sunday afternoon, and knew that a win would put them firmly in the driving seat for the Scottish Premiership title.

Rangers had only managed a goalless draw with St Johnstone on the Saturday afternoon, so Celtic could open up an eight point lead at the top with a win.

Kilmarnock were proving tricky customers though, and even when Kirk Broadfoot was sent off for the hosts, Celtic were struggling to make the breakthrough.

However, it did finally come as Scott Brown snatched a last-gasp winner, sparking wild scenes among the travelling Bhoys fans at Rugby Park.

Brown jumped into those supporters in remarkable celebrations, with a clear feeling that Celtic had put one hand on the title with that goal.

Brown, who had already been booked earlier in the game, was given a second yellow card for his exuberant celebrations, meaning he now faces a suspension.

It’s clear that the Bhoys skipper was merely caught up in the moment and showing great passion, but one ex-Celtic boss wasn’t too impressed.

Davie Hay suggests that Brown was ‘over-zealous’ and ‘irresponsible’, as Celtic are struggling with injuries and need their skipper in order to stop Rangers regaining any hope, whilst also causing safety issues for those travelling fans.

“Scott Brown’s celebration at Rugby Park was over-zealous,” said Hay. “And if I was the manager, I’d have been irked for it and for a number of reasons. First and foremost, he is now suspended. The minute he jumped into the crowd he would have known that the second yellow card was coming and I just don’t understand the logic behind thinking that is fine. He is suspended at a time when Celtic are still struggling with injuries and when the last thing you would want to do is offer any hope to those doing the chasing.

“Secondly, there is a safety issue when there is a surge from the crowd like that. Now, before anyone starts jumping up and down and calling me a killjoy, I understand the emotion of a last minute winning goal. I understand the reasons behind the celebration – Rangers slipped up the day before, the gap is looking hugely weighted now in Celtic’s favour, they hadn’t won at Rugby Park in recent visits – I get all of it. So it’s fine to go and celebrate the goal. Enjoy it. I’m all for that. But I think the over zealous nature of it was irresponsible,” he added.