SCOTT BROWN will have surprised a few people by revealing that he has already dipped his toe into the coaching side of the game.

At 29, the Hoops captain realises that he has to look to his future in football and he has already starting to acquire the necessary badges.

Working with Stevie Frail and the Celtic Development Squad is a good introduction for him.

You can do all the theory and courses but there is nothing like getting hands-on experience to let you see if you are cut out for this kind of role.

I was given the opportunity at Chelsea at the age of 27 when it became clear my knee injury was going to prevent me continuing as a player. That set me up for accepting the chance to become Ally MacLeod's assistant at Motherwell and then to becoming manager in my own right in 1981.

Scott has all the qualities required to make the step across from playing to coaching and perhaps managing. He is a very different person from the teenager I first saw when my Livingston side defeated Hibs in the 2004 League Cup final.

Back then, he simply didn't have the discipline necessary to make the most of his undoubted talents.

He has since matured but retains the all-important strength of character which makes him the person he is.

Scott is such a big part of the club and has huge influence not just among the first team but throughout the lower levels at Celtic, too.

I don't think he will have any difficulty going from being the one who likes to have a laugh with the young players to being the one who is telling them what to do in games or training.

The fact is that Scott carries huge respect and he will be listened to.

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