Brilliant mate- John McGinn’s salute to Scott Brown

John McGinn has joined the well-wishers after Scott Brown announced his playing retirement. 

A year ago the midfielder announced that he was leaving Celtic with Aberdeen quickly on the scene to offer a player coach role alongside his former Hibs team-mate Stephen Glass. 

When Aberdeen sacked Glass in February Brown opted to follow his boss out of Pittodrie rather than hang around and hold the Dons to his two year contract. 

McGinn’s international career briefly overlapped with the former Celtic skipper, in the summer of 2018 there was very strong speculation that the then Hibs midfielder would be joining Brown at Celtic Park. 

Unfortunately Peter Lawwell’s poker hand wasn’t as strong as Rod Petrie with Aston Villa moving quickly to sign the midfielder who has taken the step up to the Championship and EPL in his stride. 

Brown is now looking for a move into management and has been linked with the vacancy at Raith Rovers who just missed out on getting a Play Off place after finishing fifth in The Championship. 

Brown’s statement:

So after 20 years, almost 800 appearances at Club level, 55 caps for my country, 10 league titles, 6 Scottish Cup and 7 League Cup wins, it is with a heavy heart that I hang up my boots. 
 
When I first started playing, I never dreamt that I would achieve everything that I have-23 honours and captaining Club and Country. For this, I would like to thank every team mate, coach, backroom staff and everyone behind the scenes that I have worked with over the years. You believed in me which gave me the confidence to push myself to accomplish everything I have. 
 
I have made some incredible memories- leading the team out to the unbelievable atmosphere at Celtic Park on Champions League nights, captaining Celtic through the invincible treble season, going on to becoming quadruple treble, 9 in a row Champions and wearing the armband for my Country will be amongst my proudest moments. 
 
To every fan who has supported me from the terraces, thank you. As someone once said, football without fans is nothing and I have been proud to represent you on the pitch. I hope that I will be able to say a proper farewell to all those who have supported me through the years. 
 
To my family, thank you for supporting my dream and for putting up with me, from those early days at Hibs which I loved and who gave me my chance of my dream. I am excited for the next stage of my career, fully focussing on becoming a Manager as I make the switch from the pitch to the dugout. 
 
Thank you and until we meet again.