SCOTT Brown has played down his chances of returning to Celtic in a coaching role if Harry Kewell departs Parkhead and revealed that he favours a return to management in future.
The 38-year-old parted company with English League One club Fleetwood Town back in September after little over a season in charge following a disappointing start to the 2023/24 campaign.
He has been linked with the vacancy at struggling Championship outfit Queen’s Park and would be a popular choice to replace Kewell if the first team coach departs the Scottish champions.
The ex-Australian internationalist has been tipped to take over at Yokohama F Marinos in Japan and Brendan Rodgers last week admitted he will not stand in his way if he is approached.
READ MORE: Celtic 'too negative' in loss at Kilmarnock, says Rodgers
Brown spent 14 years at Celtic and captained the Glasgow giants to numerous trophies – but he stressed that his time at Fleetwood has whetted his appetite for being a manager in his own right.
Asked if he would be interested in going back to Celtic and working under Rodgers again, Brown said: “I don’t know. I am quite enjoying my time off at this moment in time, especially with the festive period.
“I loved my time at Celtic, I honestly did. It was a fantastic time. I went away to try and learn a lot for myself, to have that understanding of being a manager. I think I want to go down that route again if I get that opportunity.
“But I am in no rush to dive back into something at this moment in time. I am going to take time, chill, see my kids who I have probably not seen in the last three years and watch them play football over the winter in the lovely rain.”
“That is obviously not something that anyone tells you how to deal with on your badges. That is something completely different. Then the mindset changes and it goes in a different way.
“But, no, I have no bad feelings whatsoever. Fleetwood gave me that opportunity, I took them to 13th in the league and to the fifth round of the FA Cup, where they had never been before. Myself and Whitts (his assistant Steven Whittaker) enjoyed the experience.
“The second season wasn’t as good as we expected. We had a few injuries. But you have to take it on the chin now and then. We didn’t win enough games to keep ourselves in a job.”
Brown, speaking at a Viaplay media event at Hampden yesterday to promote the satellite broadcaster’s coverage of the League Cup final between Rangers and his old club Aberdeen on Sunday, admitted he was open to managing in Scotland.
READ MORE: Feyenoord in ultras row with over Glasgow party ahead of Celtic clash
“I really enjoyed my time in England,” he said. “I got away from the whole Rangers-Celtic thing. I could go down the road and wasn’t being slapped over the head by people. When I was sitting eating my dinner no-one was coming up to me saying, ’C’mon you! Any chance!’
“It is different down there. But at the same time I have got a lot of love for the Scottish game. I had a great career and enjoyed my time up here. I wouldn’t say I wouldn’t take a job up here. But at the same time no-one has offered. So you never know what happens.”
Asked if his association with Celtic would make it difficult for him to manage in his homeland, he said: “No, I don’t see why it would. My time has been, it’s gone. It’s not about me any more. It’s about whatever team I go into next and the lads who are playing.
“You can’t always talk about the past. I enjoyed my career, but now I’m going down a different path. The football game is changing rapidly and younger players coming through can ask about my past by all means. But I try never to bring it up.”
Scott Brown was promoting Viaplay’s live and exclusive coverage of Rangers v Aberdeen in the Viaplay Cup final. Viaplay is available to stream from viaplay.com or via your TV provider on Sky, Virgin TV and Amazon Prime as an add-on subscription.
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