Paul Hartley says he hated playing against Scott Brown

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Dundee manager Paul Hartley speaks highly of Celtic midfielder Scott Brown.

Dundee manager Paul Hartley has told The Scottish Sun that he hated playing against Celtic midfielder Scott Brown.

Hartley, who has been in charge of Dundee since February 2014, played with Brown at Celtic from 2007 until 2009.

The 40-year-old lined up against the Scotland international during his time at St Johnstone, Heart of Midlothian and Aberdeen.

The former Scotland international has admitted that he did not enjoy playing against Brown and has explained why.

“You could say we’d a love-hate relationship,” Hartley told The Scottish Sun about Brown. “We used to kick lumps out of each other in the Edinburgh derby games.

“He was one of those players I used to hate playing against. He’d always be in your face, saying stuff to you.

“It wasn’t until he came to Celtic and we were team-mates that you see he’s such a terrific lad.”

Brown is one of the best midfielders in the Scottish Premiership and is a key player in the current Celtic team.

There have been injury concerns over the former Hibernian star in the past, but the Scotsman is now fully fit and is playing well.

Celtic are at the top of the Scottish Premiership table at the moment with 58 points from 20 matches.

The Hoops are 19 points clear of second-placed and Old Firm rivals Rangers, who have played a game more.

Brendan Rodgers’s side will return to action on January 22 when they take on Albion Rovers away from home at the Exsel Group Stadium in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.