SCOTT BROWN branded Aberdeen skipper Graeme Shinnie a pretender to his throne after the pair last locked horns.
But Shinnie’s former gaffer, John Hughes, reckons Broony’s blast was borne out of respect rather than contempt.
The Celtic midfield king has bossed all-comers in the Premiership over the last two seasons, providing the relentless, pounding heartbeat of the Hoops’ historic double-Treble.
Dons star Shinnie took the fight to Celtic’s talisman in the final game of the season, picking up a booking for a challenge Brown called a “little boy’s tackle”.
The Hoops man also accused his opposite number of lacking “quality”.
But John Hughes, whose Inverness Caledonian Thistle side Shinnie captained to Scottish Cup glory in 2015, believes Brown’s digs were veiled compliments.
He said: “Scott Brown will be rubbing his hands, and respect the fact someone is going to get stuck in about him.
“It’s part and parcel of the game. You give it out and take it.
“It’s a sign of respect.
“Shinnie is a very respectful boy. But he is also a winner.
“If you want to be a winner, you need everything in your locker.
“If you are going to be intimidated or be a shrinking violet, you are better not putting the shirt on.
“He did great for me at Inverness. But to then go and take the armband at Aberdeen within four or five months – that tells you what Derek McInnes thinks of him. He is quality.”
The Aberdeen boss has converted Shinnie – who has just returned from Latin America with Scotland – from a left-back into a midfielder since he arrived at Pittodrie.
Hughes, who spent the week coaching the SFA’s latest UEFA “B” Licence intake at Oriam, reckons the 26-year-old has all the traits required to continue to star in that position.
“He is one of these guys who managers will go back for if they move on,” said Hughes.
“If Derek moves on…
“You know what you’re getting. You know the character.
“I’m in Jimmy Bone’s ear out there and we’re talking about that – the characters and leaders you need in your dressing-room.
“Celtic have plenty, that’s for sure.
“Shinnie certainly comes into that category.
“Broony is fantastic. You would want him in your team. He has adapted his game to become a really fantastic footballer.
“If I was playing as centre-half back in the day, up against McCoist, Hateley, whoever,
I’m going to stand up and be counted.
“I wasn’t bothered by reputations – I was going to be in there.
“And that’s what football is all about. You are a winner. Playing for Aberdeen v Celtic, you are going to lock horns.
“I’m sitting rubbing my hands. Bring it on.
“For the next few years, you will see it every time Aberdeen play Celtic.”
But Shinnie is not the only one of Hughes’ former charges preparing to face off with Brown this season.
He added: “I’m looking at Rangers, too – Scott Arfield is another one of mine.
“I think he wants to play that midfield role, but his problem is he can play a number of positions.
“He can play as a No.10, he can take it on the back foot and turn and go. He can play No.10 getting back into midfield. Play left or right. Come off the sides.
“I asked him and he wants to play midfield, so he is going to have to go toe-to-toe with Broony.
“The reason we are mentioning Broony is because Celtic are
the best, and he is the best midfielder around. No question – and getting better as the years go by.
“He won player of the year, and you look at the Old Firm games, when the scrutiny is on, he is man of the match.”
Arfield’s signing from Premier League Burnley has been Rangers’ coup of the summer so far.
Hughes reckons it could turn out to be hugely significant because Arfield has got the know-how to do for the Gers what Scott Brown does for Celtic.
“To see him in the Premier League and scoring goals, I thought: ‘Good on you’,” said Hughes.
“I always kept in touch and tried to give him advice on what to do and how to do it.
“I spoke to him and he said he just felt he had been on the bench a bit too often.
“He will not let Stevie Gerrard down, that’s for sure.
“I think he has learnt enough down the road to come back up and probably be the Scotty Brown of Rangers.
“I think he has enough in his legs to go box-to-box. I don’t think he is ready for that sitting-off role.
“But he will need a hand in there. So I’m intrigued to see exactly what Rangers are going to do.”
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