Soccer

Celtic captain Scott Brown holds talks with club over testimonial

Celtic captain Scott Brown with manager Brendan Rodgers  
Celtic captain Scott Brown with manager Brendan Rodgers   Celtic captain Scott Brown with manager Brendan Rodgers  

CELTIC captain Scott Brown has revealed he has held talks over a possible testimonial as he prepares to make his 400th appearance for the club.

Brown, who is in his 10th season at Parkhead, will reach the milestone if he plays against St Johnstone in the Ladbrokes Premiership on Wednesday night. The 31-year-old is under contract until the summer of 2018 and he has held talks with chief executive Peter Lawwell over an event to mark his long service.

"We have been speaking, me and Peter," Brown told Celtic TV.

"We have been having a chat about it, so it could happen. But I'm in no rush whatsoever, here's hoping I have another good few years left here. If they want to offer me another four-year deal I would be happy to accept.

"I have still got the legs and the love for the game as well, and that's the main one. I feel as good as I have ever felt in a Celtic jersey."

Brown is closing in on his sixth consecutive title as Celtic captain and a seventh championship winners' medal overall, but he did not realise he was on the cusp of a 400th appearance.

"I didn't even know to be fair," he said. "It's been a good nine and a half years so far and here's hoping for another nine and a half years.

"It means so much to me to be here and to keep playing and enjoying my football. We are having a great season so far and we want to maintain that for as long as we possibly can."

Celtic will go 22 points clear if they beat St Johnstone and can equal the Lisbon Lions' 50-year-old record of going the first 26 domestic matches of the season unbeaten.

However, Brown has warned that matches might get more difficult in the coming weeks.

"We have a lot to play for and a there are still a lot of points there," he said.

"The way we are playing just now is great to watch but pitches are all going to start chopping up now and it's not going to be as pretty or as good football as it has been. But we can deal with that and we can play in all different ways."

But the treble is firmly in Cetlic's sights, with a William Hill Scottish Cup fifth-round tie against Inverness at Parkhead to look forward to next month.

"It would be lovely," Brown said. "I have wanted it every season I have been here and if I could do it in the 10th it would be fantastic."

Meanwhile, Aberdeen have completed the loan signing of Celtic midfielder Ryan Christie. The creative midfielder has joined the Dons for the rest of the season.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes told his club's official website: "I am delighted to get a player of Ryan's quality into the club.

"We want to make a couple of additions in the January window - quality additions - and there is no doubt Ryan has the quality to come in and make an impact with us. Ryan can help us with the challenges that lie ahead during the second half of the season.

"I would also like to thank Brendan Rodgers and Celtic for assisting in getting the deal done."

Christie has made 13 appearances, scoring two goals, since arriving at Celtic Park from Inverness a year ago. The 21-year-old could make his Aberdeen debut in Friday's Ladbrokes Premiership encounter with Dundee.

McInnes has lost the likes of James Maddison and Wes Burns in recent weeks following the end of loan spells, although a return for the former has not been ruled out.