SCOTT BROWN last night insisted “fantastic” John McGinn could be the player who will replace him at Celtic.

The Parkhead captain is friends with the 23-year-old who has been the subject of two bids by Celtic, both of which have been rejected by Hibernian who are looking to make around £4million for their prize asset.

Brown made the same journey from Easter Road to the East End of Glasgow in 2007 and insisted his heir apparent is a better player than he was when, at a similar age, Gordon Strachan broke the transfer record between two Scottish club to sign him.

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sked if McGinn could one day replace him, Brown said: “He’s already done that with Scotland! When I was John’s age, I was a totally different player to him. I just ran about smashing people.

“John’s got a lot more than I had at that age. I’ve matured into playing central midfield and sitting in front of the back four more.

“John’s still got that energy to go from box to box. When he has that, he might as well use it to his full ability.

“John is fantastic. “Whatever happens will happen.

“ He just has to carry on with what he’s doing because that’s why clubs want to sign him. He is a top quality player.”