Scott Brown's personality like Luis Suarez, says Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers
Celtic face Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-final on April 15
Tuesday 3 April 2018 17:38, UK
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says Scott Brown reminds him of Barcelona star Luis Suarez.
The Celtic captain has made 310 appearances since joining from Hibernian in 2007 and turned down moves to English football to remain with the Glasgow club.
Rodgers praised Brown's characteristics and his "authority" of the game and related these to Suarez, the Uruguayan star he managed when at Liverpool.
"He is one of those characters. I had it with Luis Suarez, every ground you went to Luis always got it but that only raised his performance level and Scott is the same," Rodgers said.
"In terms of that mentality, it is his personality and game. I think when you are that aggressor and that type you are always liable to be a target at times but he deals with that, he copes with that."
Rodgers' comments came after Brown received a late tackle from Ross County captain Andrew Davies during the first half of County's 3-0 loss to Celtic.
The Celtic boss believes players are envious of Brown, which is why he is a number one target, but does not think that is limited to the people on the pitch.
Rodgers said: "I don't think it is just with players. I think during the time I have been up here, there is a lot of envy towards Scott Brown.
Live Scottish Cup Football
"I see it in certain media sectors, I see it in players and managers. But instead of being envious over him, he is a player that really needs to be emulated in his qualities.
"I think what rarely gets spoken about is what a good player he is - what a really good footballer he is."
Celtic play Dundee on Wednesday evening in the Scottish Premiership before facing Hamilton on Sunday.
They take on derby rivals Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-final the following week.
