If League Was Judged On Ability Celtic Would Win Every Match

Mar 16 2008 By Mark Guidi

Scot Brown Exclusive Celtic V Aberdeen Tuesday, Kick-Off 7.45pm Live Sky Sports

CELTIC star Scott Brown is the first to admit there have been times this season when he hasn't looked like a £4.5million player.

But the former Hibs midfielder is ready to show his true worth now the season has reached the nitty-gritty stage.

After a dynamic start at Parkhead the 22-year-old's form has dipped at times but he has vowed to make a major impact as Gordon Strachan's side try to peg back Rangers in the title race.

Brown insists the huge fee dished out to Hibs last summer hasn't been a problem because there would still have been pressure on him if Celts hadn't paid a penny.

The champions fought off bitter rivals Rangers to land him and Brown wants to prove the move was right for both parties.

And the best way to do that is to win the Double - an achievement that is still in the Parkhead side's hands.

Three Old Firm fixtures look set to decide the destination of the SPL title and Brown is determined to come out on top.

Speaking exclusively to MailSport he said: "I joined Celtic to play in Old Firm and Champions League games.

"We've only met Rangers once this season and they deserved to win. But that was then and this is now - we're ready.

"We might need to win every Old Firm match but that doesn't scare me because I think we can do it.

"It will be important to be ready to battle when we play Rangers. If the league race was only about the ability to play football we would win every week.

"We play the most attractive and attacking football in the SPL.

But we need to show we are the best all-round team, that we have a bit of everything.

"To do that we might need to win the battle before we can get the ball down and play."

Celtic have a Scottish Cup quarter-final replay against Aberdeen coming up in midweek and Brown wants to keep fighting on two fronts.

He said: "I'm excited about all our remaining games. We're at the stage where there is no room for mistakes.

"At the start of the season every player at Celtic was flying. The pitcheswere in great condition and that allowed us to play good football.

"But it has been a horrible winter and some of the surfaces in the SPL are poor.

"That hasn't suited me and the team. Hopefully we'll have some better weather soon.

"No matter what, though, there will be pressure on me and the team to win games.

"People might think there's more pressure on me because of the transfer fee but I don't go along with that.

"It would still be huge if I had arrived here on a free.

"It's about whether you are a success or a failure - not how much you cost."

Brown is sure Celtic have the bottle to claim a third successive SPL crown and said: "We have a squad full of winners.

"Every day in trainingwe are fighting and scrapping for the ball.We hate losing.

"None of the players will hide as we go into the final stage of the season. We're not afraid of the challenge.

"It's in our hands and we have to start by beating Aberdeen in the cup.

"We have great ability in our squad and matchwinners such as Aiden McGeady, Scott McDonald and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

"Not every player will be able to play to his maximum every week but we still have enough about us to win games.

"We're determined to land the Double and show we are better than Rangers.

"It's going to make for an interesting finish to the season and the fans must be loving it.

"I want this campaign to end with two winners' medals."

There was speculation two months ago that Brown would be looking to move to the Premiership in the summer.

But the Scotland star said: "I'm not looking to leave and have had no fall-out with the manager. I will be playing for Celtic next season for sure.

"I want to come back for pre-season as a part of a title winning side to get us straight into the Champions League."

Next season will also be important at international level as Brown tries to help Scotland qualify for the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa.

He is looking forward to linking up with new gaffer George Burley and said: "I have a good feeling about Scotland.

"I think we're going to have a good campaign but we need to get the right results."