Celtic’s season has been one full of misery. The Hoops have lost their grasp on the title and they will finish the campaign without a single trophy.
If the Bhoys’ campaign wasn’t already dismal enough, they were absolutely torn apart and demolished by their biggest rivals Rangers on Sunday evening.
For the fourth time this season, Celtic fell short in the Old Firm as they were battered and bruised in a 4-1 defeat at Ibrox.
John Kennedy failed to motivate a side that were boosted by the return of James Forrest in what was an embarrassing performance, one that summed up why a new manager can’t be hired quick enough.
Unfortunately, it also demonstrated why the exit of Scott Brown is long overdue.
The midfielder is heading for Aberdeen as a player-coach at the end of the season and after his performance on Sunday, it will be a timely departure.
After all, Brown hasn’t been at the races for a while now and his legs look to have let him down. He is slow, sluggish and is letting players glide past him as though he isn’t even there.
Put sentimentality to one side and it’s difficult to see why the 35-year-old is even in the team. He was dragged off on the hour mark against Rangers this weekend, having had fewer touches (26) of the ball than goalkeeper Scott Bain (51). He also lost a massive 71% of his duels.
There were several occasions where Brown was horrendously beaten in their drubbing at Ibrox. He committed as many as three fouls, bringing down Ryan Kent on two occasions in the first half and also bringing down Joe Aribo in a reckless fashion.
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He was beaten all ends up by Ryan Kent who made the veteran look like a player who no longer belonged at the top. For his role in the defensive phases of play, ACSOM host Paul John Dykes said he was “absolutely skinned.”
It’s rare Brown lets the opposition get the better of him in physical battles but it said a lot about how his game has dwindled that he only won two tackles in this weekend’s Old Firm. He was specifically at fault for Rangers' second goal.
He stood off Alfredo Morelos who then nutmegged the Scot and fired a devastating effort into the roof of the net.
Speaking at full time, Dykes launched a scathing assault on the player: “He shouldn't have been anywhere near the pitch and he shouldn't have been anywhere near the pitch for the last few months."
Dykes added: "All season, he's been way off it."
This game was the tip of the iceberg for Brown as he also could have done more to prevent Kemar Roofe's towering header. The Scotland international was caught ball watching which allowed the striker to race into the penalty box completely unopposed.
Sadly, he has put in lacklustre performances like this for the vast majority of the campaign; it must be time for Ismaila Soro to get a run of matches.