Celtic are aiming to secure a historic quadruple treble at Hampden but their captain may have to settle for a place on the bench
Celtic are on the verge of making history this afternoon.
Victory over Hearts in the Scottish Cup Final would see them secure a quadruple treble.
The sight of Celtic players lifting the trophy would go some way to lifting the gloom that has enveloped Celtic Park in recent months, and they are considered strong favourites against the Championship side.
Recent victories over Lille and Kilmarnock have suggested that Neil Lennon’s men may be turning a corner, but defeat Hampden would plunge the club firmly into crisis mode.
There has been much debate around the possible inclusion of captain Scott Brown, who remains a popular figure among fans but whose influence on matches is not as profound as it once was. He’s been benched for the last two matches, with Ismaila Soro and David Turnbull impressing in his absence.
78% of Celtic supporters polled today said the 35-year-old should be named among the substitutes, but even if he’s benched Brown will believe he can end the day holding the Scottish Cup aloft for a sixth time.
Here’s what’s been said about Brown’s potential inclusion ahead of the match.
NEIL LENNON
As quoted by Glasgow Live, Lennon said: “Psychologically it would be good for us. I think it would be the end of an unbelievable cycle, 12 trophies is something you might never see again.
“It would give the players a massive shot in the arm in what has been a difficult period for us and coming out the other side of that and being able to look forward with a lot of confidence and belief.
“As a manager, you’re always looking out for the next stumbling block or pitfall.”
Lennon addressed Brown’s potential selection in an interview with the BBC, saying: “Scott has been fantastic and he is quite a unique individual. He has carried the dressing room for a long, long time.
“He is an icon at the club a modern-day great. And he may have a chance of starting on Sunday.”
CALLUM MCGREGOR
McGregor has been wearing the captain’s armband in Brown’s absence. The Scotsman have him saying: “It is obviously a huge honour whenever you have the captain’s armband on. It is something that I love doing. It is a real big honour.
“I’m desperate for Celtic to win the game on Sunday and everybody at the club to be successful. If that is with me as captain or not as captain, it doesn’t enter my thinking too much. I am just desperate to win the game and get more success for Celtic fans.
“The thing about Broony is that he is 35. He might still play like he’s 26 as he’s full of energy. But you do have to remember his age as well. It’s a big ask to play two or three games a week at real high intensity – the way we like to play – high tempo, high pressing.
“So you might have to manage him a little bit differently to previous seasons. But by no means is he starting to slow down. It’s just a case of the manager picking and choosing the right times to unleash him.
“You write him off at your peril. He has that mentality. You don’t play at this club for 13 years, have such a good career and be a winner so many times if you don’t have that mentality. It’s not possible.
“The amount of times he’s come back to prove people wrong speaks for itself. Every time someone does say something about him, he comes back and plays even better.”
JOHAN MJALLBY
Former Celtic defender and assistant manager Johan Mjallby told the Sunday Post: “
“We love Scott Brown, not only for what he has been doing on the pitch but off the pitch as well.
“He is a true Celtic legend, and he has been a tremendous leader over the last few years. But, at the same time, I think Neil will stick with Ismaila Soro.
“They have won the last two. Soro has been doing well and showing a lot of energy and the ability to win the ball back.
“Listen, it is really tricky, and I think it is tricky for Neil as well, because obviously Scott Brown is where he is.
“I think it is good for the team and the squad that they have more competition now from Soro playing really well and, hopefully, he will continue to do so.
“It is only going to be good because you need to give Callum McGregor a rest now and then as well, you know.
“Scott has been tremendous, but at the same time I think that Neil is going to stick with Soro for this game.”
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