Tom Boyd backs Hoops skipper Brown to lead Rodgers revolution

The Celtic skipper had an indifferent end to the campaign after playing through the latter months of the season with tendonitis. He was rested as soon as the league title was won in order that he is fully fit for the UEFA Champions League qualifiers which begin next month.

There has been a whisper that the midfielder is at a stage in his career where the best years of his career may be behind him, but Rodgers was vocal about his desire to keep the combative Brown as his skipper and the Irishman has already outlined his philosophy to the player over a meal in Rodgers’ London home.

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And Boyd – with a dig at the age of Joey Barton - believes that it is the right call to keep Brown at the forefront of what is going on at the club.

"He's 30 just now but a team across the city are signing players who are older than Scott,” he said. “So he has a few years' advantage. Scott has great experience, he's our captain, blighted by injury a little bit last season but he knows he has to be pushing to get back to full fitness.

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“It depends on Brendan's philosophy is, what his type of football will be, what his formation will be but I'm sure Scott will have loads to offer both on and off the park.”

Meanwhile, Boyd believes that the club’s hierarchy have already seen a tangible reward after pushing the boat out to put Rodgers in place.

Queues for season tickets have been seen outside Celtic Park since they went on general sale at the beginning of the week and there is an excitement among supporters as well as players.

That reaction from those who are expected to pack Celtic Park for the opening game of the season has enforced the belief for Boyd that the Parkhead side called it right – and got the very best they could in Rodgers.

“There has been a change of direction – it’s safe to say that,” he said in reference to the club’s financial structure. ”It’s got the juices flowing among the fans and all at the club. I’d imagine the players are looking forward to pre-season training and that’s not always the case.

“I think the thinking has been to live within our means. But when you look at the strategy of getting in a high profile manager – it’s certainly paid off in terms of winning the fans back.

“The support have taken to it and come out and are looking forward to the season with renewed optimism. That wouldn’t have been the case had Ronny [Deila] still been here.

“They have done the right thing by changing direction and it should be applauded.

He’s done it at the highest level in the Premier League and but for a fateful slip from Stevie Gerrard could have won the title at Liverpool.

“We want to get that style of football – the stuff that Ronny tried and which didn’t happen. Certainly he had injuries to deal with and maybe he stuck with players for too long and wasn’t rewarded.

“A new manager who has everyone on a fresh footing should bring enthusiasm and optimism back to the club.

“I genuinely hope everyone gives him a fair crack of the whip.”

However, while there is a suggestion that there will around £15m for Rodgers to strengthen this summer, it remains to be seen just what that effectively buys.

The excitement and lift the appointment has given the club carries echoes of Martin O’Neill’s arrival at Celtic, but such has been the widening chasm between Scotland and south of the border in those intervening years that there will be no replicating the level of players that the current Republic of Ireland boss attracted when he was in Glasgow.

Boyd, though, believes that Celtic’s best buys have not always been the high profile names that have arrived with big reputations.

“What quality can we get?” he said. “We can’t get someone from the top level of English football or world football so we’re still trying to bring in names for entertainment.

“The best players at this club can be ones that are found – I’m thinking of your Henrik Larssons and Lubo Moravciks. Some of the highest profile players have not been as successful as we’d have hoped so it’s trying to get the strategy right.

“Big money spent on players has not always worked out so we’ll see how it pans out.”

And the former defender expects that the appointment of Rodgers will have been well received by some of the younger players at the club.

“We've had a good bit of joy in terms of managers bringing in players they know who've provided a spark within the club. So we'll wait and see. I think some of the young lads were crying out for an opportunity last season so maybe some of them will get to provide a wee spark if the last game of the season is anything to go by.”

*Tom Boyd was speaking at Renfrew Gold Club to promote Celtic’s annual golf day for the Celtic Foundation. There is still space for two teams to sign up for the event.