double triumph for celtic at awards ceremony

David Friel
SCOTT BROWN’S inspirational displays for Celtic were rewarded on Sunday night when the midfielder was crowned the SPFA Player of the Year, while boss Gordon Strachan scooped the Manager of the Year award.

The 23-year-old midfielder beat off competition from team-mate Gary Caldwell and Rangers duo Pedro Mendes and Steve Davis to land the prestigious award, which is voted for by Scotland’s professionals. His manager, meanwhile, won his second SPFA award, having also been honoured in 2007.

Man of the Match in Celtic’s 2-0 Co-operative Insurance League Cup final win over Rangers, Brown has consistently produced outstanding performances in midfield for Gordon Strachan’s table-topping side.

Brown’s triumph makes it five-in-a-row for Celtic in the SPFA Player of the Year awards. Previous winners were John Hartson (shared with Fernando Ricksen) (2005), Shaun Maloney (2006), Shunsuke Nakamura (2007) and Aiden McGeady (2008).

Afterwards, the Celtic manager praised Brown. He said: “Scott is a fantastic choice. He was nominated along with Gary Caldwell, who has been excellent, and Pedro Mendes too.

“But Scott has been absolutely terrific and he is a joy to work with. He is a work in progress and I am delighted for him.”

And Celtic Chairman John Reid expressed his delight at the double awards triumph.

“This is a very proud moment for the club,” the chairman said. “Winning one of these awards is a great achievement but to win both is a fantastic honour and they are very well deserved.

“Our congratulations go to Gordon and Scott, who have both enjoyed tremendous seasons. They deserve great credit for their contributions but I’m sure they’d be the first to pay tribute to the people around them – Gordon’s management team and Scott’s team-mates.”