When Scott Brown was a Celtic, he named the hardest opponent he faced.

Written by Paul Gillespie April 19, 2024 — Nothing to say

During a recent interview with talkSPORT, Scott Brown was questioned about a number of topics pertaining to his career and his tenure in the league. When he competed in European competition, the former captain of the Hornets had the honor of facing some of the greatest players in the world and was a fixture at Celtic Park for many years.

Broony has frequently faced some of the most gifted football players you can imagine in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League. When the midfield engine-man was asked who his toughest opponent ever was during a Q&A session with Jim, Ally McCoist, and Andy Townsend today at Ayr Racecourse, I asked him.

Seedorf Clarence

Brown, who is regarded as one of the greatest Celtic players of all time and was by no means a shrinking violet, stated, “I met this guy in the middle of the park.” We’re in the center of the park playing Celtic-AC Milan, Seedorf, and, for crying out loud, it felt like we were sprinting into a brick wall.

“It’s amazing Scott that you said that,” co-host Andy Townsend, a cap for the Republic of Ireland, retorted to the statement. Because I participated in a play-off match at Anfield between Ireland and Holland in an attempt to qualify for Euro 1996 alongside Clarence Seedorf. I believed I had injured my [anterior]cruciate ligament when I ran into him.

With a laugh of admiration, the former Celtic captain described how the youthful and strong ex-Hibee raced into the Dutch international during a UEFA Champions League group stage encounter against AC Milan and was astounded by how strong and physical the midfield maestro was. “I swear, I thought I had a little pace and power, and he was just standing!” he said. God, oh God. He was outstanding.

After scoring the first goal in the UEFA Champions League Group match between Celtic and Ajax at Celtic Park Stadium on October 22, 2013, James Forrest is congratulated by teammate Virgil van Dijk (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

When McCoist questioned Walter Smith, his erstwhile opponent from his days as Rangers assistant manager, about which of his colleagues he thought was the best, the Ayr United manager replied without hesitation: “Virgil.” He was really smoking a cigar at every game, and he was playing in cruise control up here. He said, “We could leave [Cameron] Carter-Vickers in the back, going one-on-one, while the rest of us just ran forward.” For him, it was too simple! He was excellent.

Gillespie, Paul