SCOTT BROWN is “nowhere near finished” as a player and is more than fit enough to keep on playing.
That’s the view of one of his former Celtic teammates, Ryan Christie.
The 36-year-old officially left Aberdeen yesterday and all but confirmed his retirement from the playing field as he seeks to move into coaching on a full-time basis.
Brown and Christie starred together for the Hoops during the club’s Quadruple Treble run.
Now at Bournemouth, Christie, 27, has recalled that during their last days in Parkhead how Brown was still one of the fittest on the training pitch despite his advancing years.
The Scotland ace reckons Brown is destined for management but insists his former teammate still has plenty to offer as a player.
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Christie told Football Scotland: “I think (management) is definitely the next step in progression for him.
“I was delighted for him when he went up to Aberdeen because he was going to get a few more years playing.
“Even in his final year at Celtic, every day in training he’s nowhere near finished.
“He’s still fit as a fiddle, still running the tempo in training as an incredible leader.
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“He’ll get that tag for the rest of his time but he was an incredible player so at some point he’ll step in as a manager.
“But he’s not quite finished as a player yet!”
Brown and Christie both left Celtic this summer.
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Callum McGregor has since taken on the mantle from Brown as captain at Parkhead and Christie believes the extra responsibility placed on his shoulders has led to greater respect and admiration for his performances for Celts.
Christie said: “Callum McGregor, it’s nice this season that he’s getting a bit more recognition which probably comes with the captain’s armband, he fully deserves it.
“From the time I joined, his attitude and what he brings, you saw Broony and the way he led but you saw the natural order of it and how Callum was the next in line.
“He was superb the whole time I was playing there.”
Meanwhile, Brown has reportedly been offered a coaching opportunity by ex-Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers.