Scott Brown’s leadership qualities see him given Aberdeen captaincy

Aberdeen have confirmed that Scott Brown will be the club’s team captain this season.

Joe Lewis, who has worn the armband for the past two seasons, will continue as club captain.

Dons manager, Stephen Glass, believes that as a former Celtic and Scotland skipper, Brown’s undoubted desire to lead from the front, and his appetite to win, will help drive the team forward this season.

He said: “I am pleased to announce that when we welcome fans back to Pittodrie on Thursday, Scott Brown will lead the team out as team captain.

“We are all happy to have him here and are looking forward to seeing the impact that his leadership, both on and off the park, will bring to Aberdeen FC.

“I am certain the supporters will enjoy watching him represent our great club, and I know he is proud to have been given the honour of leading the team as captain.

“I can assure you all that the drive he has to continue his record of being a winner, now in the red of Aberdeen, will be evident immediately.

“It is also important to acknowledge the role that Joe Lewis has played as captain, and will continue to play for us as club captain.

“Following conversations with him, I am pleased that he has a desire to serve in that role.

“Having seen his leadership qualities first-hand, Joe’s commitment to Aberdeen and the North-East Community is something that I greatly admire, and it is vitally important for us, as a community club, to embrace those qualities.

“Joe continues to command great respect in the dressing room, as well as among the Aberdeen fans, and along with Scott and the rest of the squad will strive to deliver a winning team for you all to celebrate with.

“We are all eagerly anticipating our first match against BK Häcken on Thursday, and we can’t wait to see the return of our loyal supporters to the stadium.

“It’s got the makings of another memorable European night at Pittodrie.”

While Brown embarks on a new chapter in his career, the same is the case for Celtic new boy, Kyogo Furuhashi.

And his former club have invited their adoring fans to their stadium for an incredible farewell ceremony for their star player today before the Vissel Kobe ace leaves for his £4.5 million move to Parkhead.

The Japanese international completed a shock move to join up with Ange Postecoglou in Glasgow and the 26-year-old is expected to arrive this week once his international clearance comes through, though he will still need a work permit.

And Vissel Kobe have invited supporters to their Noevir Stadium to pay homage to Furuhashi before he leaves.

Billed as a “transfer send-off ceremony”, fans will be allowed into the stadium for free and Furuhashi will then give a farewell speech, take part in a Q&A session with fans and will then take pictures with supporters both individually and then in groups in an event that is expected to last for a couple of hours.

The entire event will also be screened live on the club’s YouTube channel.

Vissel Kobe have stated they will open their 10,000-capacity South Stand of the stadium to let fans in and they have been urged to come early to show their appreciation.

The club’s sports director, Takashi Hirano, admitted it will prove a huge challenge to replace their talisman.

He said: “No one in this league scored as many goals as Kyogo. He has simply been a wonderful player for us.

“However, we are under no illusions that the hole created by the departure of Kyogo is enormous and will take a very long time to fill.”

Furuhashi netted 41 goals in 94 league starts for his club before clinching his big money move to Europe, with Celtic fans desperate to see their new arrival.