---
title: "Celtic: Noel Whelan lambasts Scott Brown over key issue"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-noel-whelan-lambasts-scott-brown-over-key-issue/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Nathan Linley"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2021-02-23T13:40:37Z"
modified: "2021-02-23T13:40:37Z"
---

# Celtic: Noel Whelan lambasts Scott Brown over key issue

**Former Scottish Premiership striker Noel Whelan has criticised Celtic captain Scott Brown over the example he is setting to the younger players in the side.**

### Brown slammed

It is has been a season to forget for the Bhoys. They sit [18](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/scottish-premiership/table) points behind arch-rivals Rangers in the standings after their dismal [1-0](https://www.fotmob.com/livescores/3358908/matchfacts/ross-county-vs-celtic) defeat to Ross County on Sunday, for which the 35-year-old was partially to blame.

Brown, who earns [£23k-per-week](https://salarysport.com/football/ladbrokes-premiership/celtic/) at Parkhead, has [made way](https://www.footballfancast.com/celtic-news/celtic-ismaila-soro-priority-scott-brown-neil-lennon-lineup) on occasions for 22-year-old midfielder Ismaila Soro this season – who will go down as one of the [silver linings](https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/celtic-fans-same-scott-brown-19756326) of the 2020/21 campaign.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”338175″\]

David Turnbull is another player that has managed to play a [regular](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/david-turnbull/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/345760/plus/0/saison/2020/wettbewerb/SC1/verein/371) part in the middle for Celtic after his move from Motherwell last summer – signifying that the Scot could play a key part in the future going forward.

Speaking to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/whelan-cites-scott-brown-as-he-slams-senior-celtic-stars-treatment-of-youngsters/), Whelan singled out Brown for not being a “father figure” to these youngsters this season.

“Scott Brown is one of those players that will voice his opinion and he’s been at the club long enough to be given the right to do that,” he said.

“Sometimes you get these more mature, long-serving players and their opinion counts and that’s what Scott Brown has done.

“He’s got to be like a father figure at times to these very good young players coming through there.

“But when you look around at the more experienced players, you feel they’re not getting the guidance that they need.”

### Transfer Tavern Verdict

Whelan is spot on here. Brown needs to show why he has been at the club for so long and must lead by example. Unfortunately, he hasn’t done that in the manner that has become the norm over the years.

Brown will go down as a legend at Celtic. But that doesn’t mean that he is exempt from criticism at the same time, despite winning [10](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/scott-brown/erfolge/spieler/12688) Scottish Premiership titles.

With this contract due to [expire](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/scott-brown/profil/spieler/12688) at the end of the season, some will argue that it is time for Brown to make way.

*In other news, **[Celtic icon expressed sadness over possible departure of 40-goal Parkhead star.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-news/celtic-frank-mcavennie-expresses-disappointment-over-tom-rogic-predicament/)***