Supporters of Celtic have fumed after some comments from the Hoops’ manager Neil Lennon emerged on social media.
The Bhoys head to Hampden Park on Sunday to take on Heart of Midlothian in the final of the 2019/20 Scottish Cup (per Sky Sports).
One hot topic of discussion ahead of the final has been whether Lennon should trust the old guard or players who have been performing well in recent weeks (via Daily Record).
Scott Brown is one of those players of whom there has been much discussion about and Lennon addressed the debate over his potential inclusion during his pre-match press conference ahead of the final.
He said: “It’s not like this is going to be Scott’s swansong if he plays. There’s a lot of talk about whether I’ll start him or not, that’ll be my decision and I’ll make the right decision for the club and the team.”
These comments were relayed to fans on social media by Alison Conroy and they had lots of fans talking.
So, what did these Celtic fans have to say about Neil Lennon’s comments on Scott Brown?
Will Scott Brown start Celtic’s Scottish Cup final v Hearts?
N Lennon: “It’s not like this is going to be Scott’s swan song if he plays…there’s a long of talk about whether I’ll start him or not…that’ll be my decision & I’ll make the right decision for the club & the team” pic.twitter.com/YUf2OK1KIZ
— Alison Conroy (@AlisonGConroy) December 18, 2020
I genuinely can’t get over what a clown he is. This shouldn’t even be a discussion, but he’s created the uncertainty by inferring he’ll play the players who got us to the final. First bit of momentum we’ve had in months, and he seems determined to sabotage it.
— Paul Campbell (@Baltimore76) December 18, 2020
If sb has Celtics best interests then he would take himself out the team and come on when the jobs done to lift the cup wee soro is a pest the way sb was 12 years ago
— Harry Watt (@HarryWa73147286) December 18, 2020
The comments from Lennon come after he supposedly ‘hinted’ that the midfielder may start against Hearts earlier in the week by saying “he may have a chance of starting on Sunday” (per The Scottish Sun).
Should Scott Brown start in the Scottish Cup final?
No, he's not good enough
Yes, he's a solid player
That’s what we are worried about Neil
— Gazzarinho (@gazzarinho1) December 18, 2020
Think our Captain is big enough and tough enough to know the correct decision himself and still has the club at heart ?
— Jimbo (@Jimkingofkings) December 18, 2020
So far this season, Brown has made 14 appearances for the Hoops in the Scottish Premiership, in which he has neither scored nor assisted a goal (per WhoScored).
Over those appearances, he has earned a 6.82/10 average rating, which has made him only the 13th-best performer in Lennon’s squad this term.
If brown plays it isn’t the right thing for the club. https://t.co/OcJvT5GCw1
— Danny Steel (@dannysteel123) December 18, 2020
The right decision for the club and team is to continue playing those who have done well the past two games, this is an historic match but more importantly its about continuing the feel good feeling on the pitch. Don’t change what isn’t broken. https://t.co/UTmRdIY4wz
— Kieren Laverty (@KierenLaverty) December 18, 2020
As can be seen in these responses from Celtic fans, they did not appreciate the insinuation that Brown could start against Hearts because it would not be the right thing for the Hoops.