von Dinamo Baden » Di 15. Dez 2020, 08:49
Adamant Charlie Nicholas reckons Scott Brown should nowhere near the Celtic starting XI for Sunday's mammoth Scottish Cup Final with Hearts.
The Hoops can secure an unprecedented quadruple Treble if they defeat Hearts at Hampden as they look to lift the trophy after two morale-boosting wins.
But Nicholas has warned Neil Lennon that loyalty will only get him so far as he ponders a recall for his skipper with Ismaila Soro and David Turnbull in red-hot form.
The 58-year-old believes Brown's only function should be ceremonial and he believes the Celtic's beating heart on the pitch now "carries little relevance."
Speaking to the Daily Express, he said: "I understand Ryan Christie returning but not the skipper.
"I accept Brown is captain and Callum McGregor does not have his personality, but his legs aren't there any more.
"He no longer has a big influence on the team. In the huge games over the last 18 months - Aberdeen and Hibs away, the Old Firm and Euro ties - it's been about his nuisance value, not what he does on the ball. His role diminished when Celtic scrapped Brendan Rodgers' style. He's a spoiler and that carries little relevance.
"He's still a big personality and he always gives 100% - but Celtic are not going to miss him if he doesn't play.
"He remains a figurehead and should lift the cup - if they win. But Lenny has to go with players in form, like Turnbull, Soro, Hazard and Moi Elyounoussi.
"Everything that's been asked of them, they've done. Would it be a risk too far to play them in a cup final? Definitely not.
"Do I understand loyalty? Of course. I'd have liked it a bit more as a player. But it's never been the fabric of successful teams. It's the ones who perform who stay.
"I know Hearts are in form but I still expect Celtic to win. And Lenny should continue with his shake-up by going for guys playing without fear.
"Soro, Turnbull and Hazard have given the team energy."
And Nicholas believes his former team can see off Robbie Neilson's Championship leaders but doesn't expect the party to last for long once the Hoops look at the league table.
He added: "Celtic's fault but Hearts will be fuelled by the controversial circumstances of their relegation. Robbie Neilson's side will make it physical but Celtic should win.
"Not that they will get much time to celebrate as they could be back down to third in the league again this weekend!
"If Celtic thought losing to Ross County was bad, the backlash from a defeat on Sunday would be scary. Lenny should forget loyalty and go with form."
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Martin O'Neill - Legend! 
MARTIN O'NEILL - LEGEND 
