FORMER Celtic captain Jackie McNamara has hailed Scott Brown’s leadership qualities as the skipper is honoured next month with a testimonial. 

McNamara was the last Hoops player to be given the honour by the club and Republic of Ireland were the opposition – the same as Brown will face. 

And McNamara reckons Brown has continued to improve through the ages and deserves his memorable day on the May 20 when Martin O’Neill’s Irish side come to Celtic Park. 

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He said: “You can see the calmness in the defenders as well when he plays. He helps them and organises the rest of the team. He’s been a great servant and a great player for Celtic. 

“Captains lead by example. They demand the ball and never fade when things don’t go right. It’s those situations that give you a measure of someone and Scott Brown has always led the way, even when things might not to be going to plan. 

“He’s got better with age and I think last year was his best year for Celtic under Brendan [Rodgers]. He’s been equally as good this year. There’s a real difference in him playing under Brendan, especially in terms of his fitness.”

McNamara recalls facing Brown when the now captain was at Hibernian and fearlessly facing up to Bobo Balde.

He added: “He had a couple of wee run-ins with us when he was at Hibs.

I remember one game when he was in about Bobo, which probably wasn’t the wisest of decisions, and in one of the games at Easter Road I think he got a bad one off Alan Thompson. 

“I was at his golf day recently and he was talking about playing against me at Celtic Park. He said I tried to do him in one but I can’t remember! 

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“I could have been playing against my brother and it wouldn’t have made any difference. No matter who I’m up against, you’re going to war for Celtic. It was nothing personal if I did.” 

The ex-defender thinks that Kieran Tierney would be the perfect replacement for Captain Brown.

He told Celtic View: “There aren’t many characters as big as Scott Brown. He’s grown into the captain’s role. 

“When you look around the team just now for his replacement, you look at Kieran Tierney as the ideal candidate. 

“He’s still young but he’s learning and it’s good that he seems to be quite close to Scott. He’ll be getting really valuable experience in watching how Scott goes about it. 

“He’ll be wanting to take up that mantle in a few years and it’s great for him that he’ll have the guidance of Scott.”