In the modern game it’s trendy to play down the captaincy, write it off as a symolic role involving leading the team out, meeting the referee and not much more.
That view tends to come from less successful teams struggling for leadership.
Being a real captain comes in many forms with the traditional type battling and shouting as the spur their team-mates on while keeping the referee under control.
In Scott Brown Celtic have that character with the 2016/17 version an improvement in every area of the game with his passing and fitness at their highest ever levels.
Broony type characters aren’t easy to find but with an entirely different personality Stuart Armstrong looks to be a very able deputy.
The former Dundee United man had an exceptional time in November- on Saturday he was handed the armband to captain Celtic against Dundee.
Brown will be back in charge tonight but there’s no denying the respect and esteem that Armstrong is held in by the Celtic management.
“It was a symbol for him and the other players,” Rodgers explained about his decision to name Armstrong as skipper.
“This was a guy who was a stand-out when I was assessing the squad, then it was in doubt whether he would play for me. Early in the season he wasn’t even in a couple of the squads.
“But guys like him epitomise how I work. If they can adapt, they can fly. They get their reward and Stu has been a great symbol of that.
“He’s outstanding in everything he does. His pressing, his possession, and his quality on the ball. He plays with that pause in the game I like, making the right choices, but also has that dynamic ability.”
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