Aberdeen boss Stephen Glass has been talking up his captain Scott Brown this week and how inspirational the midfielder has been to this point.
It might not chime with what’s going on with results, Aberdeen are struggling for form and Glass is a man already under pressure at Pittodre.
Speaking about Brown, the Dons boss confirmed Scott could have stayed at Celtic and went as far as saying the club were ‘desperate’ to keep a hold of their former captain.
“He could have stayed at Celtic – they were desperate to keep him.” Glass explained to RecordSport.
“Everybody loves him. Guys that have hated him love him. If you hated Scott Brown and now he plays for your team do you not want your team to win because Scott Brown plays for them?
“He wanted to be involved in a coaching staff. He’s driven, he wants to get better, he wants to learn everything about managing and coaching while still focusing on being one of the best professionals at the club.
“In terms of leadership on the pitch I don’t think there’s anyone better and he’s proved it over the last 15 years. And he’s already proved it in a red jersey.
“He puts demand on everybody. The young players. I’ve seen it. Everybody in the whole club can feel.
“He’s got a presence. I spoke to him over the years but you’re away and on the phone all the time and I’d forgotten how much of a physical presence he’s got when you meet him – he’s an imposing character.”
From a sentimental and leadership point of view, keeping Scott would have been an easy option for the club. However, it was clear Scott’s influence on the pitch for Celtic was diminishing at a rapid rate.
Had he stayed, he would have got some game time this term given Celtic’s lack of depth in that area but asking Scott to play with such high intensity in the twilight of his career would have done him no favours.
Broony has the chance to help Aberdeen turn things around, Glass is still trying to get over his ideas and Scott is a good influence in the dressing room, like we knew he would be.
The combative midfielder is a different man away from the pitch and will be helping the young players out at the club.
