NEIL LENNON says that it would have been a disaster had Scott Brown been allowed to leave Celtic, as he revealed he hopes to keep his captain at the club as a coach after he retires from playing.

Back in late 2018, Brown was considering an offer from new Australian club Western Melbourne FC to become the man they would build their project around, before declaring he had ‘gone with his heart’ by signing a new deal to remain at Celtic.

That decision has been vindicated as he played an integral part in securing a ninth title in a row and a third consecutive Treble last season.

He followed that up by making 50 appearances as Celtic chased a fourth domestic clean sweep before the coronavirus shutdown disrupted this campaign, suggesting there is plenty life left in Brown as a player yet.

But when the time comes for him to hang up his boots, the Celtic manager is keen to keep him around the club.

“I wasn’t here at the time but when I heard the talk about him possibly going to Australia, I thought it would have been a disaster,” Lennon said.

“As far as I am concerned, when he stops playing there will be a coaching role for Scott here at the club. I would offer him something straight away.

"For me, it is the obvious path for him in the future. He is doing his badges at the minute and I would definitely want him around the place when he stops playing.”