Brown: Growing Old Gracefully

Scott Brown is already Celtic’s second most successful captain in the year we lost their first. 19 medals are in his collection from over 500 matches. A trophy every 27 games.

But we worry that as he moves into his mid-30s, and with an all-action career behind him, how much is left to give? Let’s look at his Report Card.

2018/19 Appearances

Brown has appeared in 30 or more matches in all of his 12 seasons at Celtic. He has appeared in 50 or more in each of the last three Treble seasons.

This term sees a reduction in attendance. But with 4249 minutes played only Forrest and McGregor have appeared more.

In other words, Celtic still rely heavily on him.

2018/19 Defending

Brown has a unique role at Celtic. His screening of the defence and dropping back in to make a back three on occasion allied to his innate physicality and aggression, make him the one true defensive midfielder. Bitton is more a deep playmaker and has had extensive injury. We don’t yet know a lot about Kouassi.

So, defensive duties are a key part of his job description.

Numbers are per 90m

Simply, there is less of everything!

Less challenges won, and less lost. Less possession recovered, and less lost. Fewer interceptions but less being dribbled past.

Heck, less fouls committed! (He is missing more tackles though.)

With Defensive Errors reduced, it all suggests a player realising the physical limitations of age and wear and tear. Relying instead on positioning and anticipation – brain power rather than leg power.

A diminishing of physical impact, but elegantly so, with forethought.

2018/19 Ball Progression

With the emergence of McGregor as a deep play maker, the emphasis on Brown being the fulcrum of all attacks has reduced.

Numbers are per 90m

Consequently, there are less passes, less pack passes and fewer assist attempts. It is not “falling off the cliff” reduction, but as with defensive actions, more a graceful and managed retreat into dotage.

I don’t include Secondary Assists in the table as I only started collecting them this season. Brown averages 1.21 per 90m which is the 8^th highest in the squad.

We did get an entertaining and unexpected goal rush from the captain this season. With 3 goals he made up for a blank season last. His total xG was 1.427 so this may be a high water-mark for him in future!

Summary

I came close to writing Brown off earlier in the season. In The Declining Influence of Brown I noted a dramatic 30% drop off on many key performance metrics. Furthermore, an Autumn injury saw the emergence of a thrilling midfield of McGregor, Christie and Rogic. In Brown and McGregor: The Great Debate I showed how McGregor had adapted his game to cover many of the key attributes Brown brings. It looked like a changing of the guard.

Post New Year break both Celtic and Brown put their game faces on and a relentless march to the title and Scottish Cup ensued. Meek surrender to Valencia aside, Celtic put together an unanswerable run of victories. Brown was again pivotal to this missing just two of the last 25 post break matches.

You can’t keep the captain down.

However, the evidence is there of gradual but inevitable decline. He is managing his game superbly to negate the ravages of aging.

But his position remains another where Celtic are fundamentally short in squad management as regards adequate succession planning.

You’d never have thought Brown would grow old gracefully!

““Old” is not a dirty word. Old age is not an illness. It took a long time and a lot of hard work to get here and I see no reason to apologise for my arrival.”