- Celtic and Motherwell go head to head in the League Cup final on Sunday
- Scott Brown has called on both sides to play fair during match for silverware
- Celtic are looking to win a fourth trophy under manager Brendan Rodgers
Scott Brown insists he is relishing the prospect of a physical battle in Sunday’s Betfred League Cup final — but has warned the Motherwell players to keep their elbows down.
The Celtic captain maintains he has no problem with the direct, aggressive style of football that Stephen Robinson has deployed to such great effect this season, so long as it stays within the laws of the game.
Well’s semi-final victory came with some controversy thanks to the ugly injury sustained by Rangers defender Fabio Cardoso following a flying arm from striker Ryan Bowman.
Scott Brown is looking forward to competing in the Scottish League Cup final on Sunday
A combative midfielder by trade, Brown is prepared to go toe-to-toe with the Steelmen at Hampden but has called for a fair fight.
He said: ‘There is not a problem as long as it is all within the laws and they do it properly. Everyone wants to be physical. I am physical in a tackle as long as I am going to win but I am not a dirty player. As long as they play fair we will play fair.’
During the build-up to the match Fir Park defender Peter Hartley railed against criticism of his team’s style of play, insisting those who complain should stick to basketball.
‘It is a contact sport but you can’t raise elbows — that is the difference,’ responded Brown.
‘Once you hit someone on the face with an elbow you can knock them out, you can concuss them. It is not what football is about. We try and play the proper way but we are also aggressive in the tackle and we believe when you go in to win it, you win the ball.’
Brown (left) shares a joke with Scott Sinclair and Brendan Rodgers ahead of the final
Brown has backed his team-mates to handle whatever comes their way on Sunday afternoon as they seek a fourth trophy under Brendan Rodgers.
‘We have strength in depth and people who like the physicality,’ he continued. ‘Our centre backs love that — Jozo (Simunovic), Dedryck (Boyata) — you can’t beat that. And Nir Bitton has been fantastic playing at the back, too.’
Celtic suffered a stinging 7-1 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain last midweek but Brown believes Hampden can offer the perfect antidote to their Champions League pain.
‘This is probably the best game for us after that result,’ he said.
‘It is always easy to lift yourself for a cup final. We played really well in last year’s final against Aberdeen, and we need to try and do that against Motherwell.’