EVERY general has a man on the battlefield he trusts and has implicit faith in, and equally, in the football world, the best managers have a captain who is their voice and inspiration on the pitch once the players cross that line on to the turf.

Some of the most noted success stories in the annals of Celtic’s history have been forged by partnerships between a manager and a captain – think of Willie Maley and Jimmy McStay, Jimmy McGrory and Jock Stein, Stein himself and Billy McNeill, Gordon Strachan and Neil Lennon.

It’s no accident that the four captains named here all eventually went on to manage Celtic as the baton passed from generation to generation.

Now, Neil Lennon has Scott Brown as his adjutant on the field of battle, and the Irishman couldn’t ask for a better man to lead his team on to the pitch.

Speaking at Lennoxtown today, the manager said of Scott Brown: “He brings great maturity in his role in the team, he’s evolved his game into a top holding-midfield player now. Reading the game, covering the ground, breaking up attacks and prompting attacks - his leadership qualities are invaluable here.

“It’s immeasurable to put in the words the contribution that he’s made over the last 10 or 12 years and he’s still, at 34, playing as well as ever.

“I think that’s testament to his professionalism and dedication. It’s not easy playing here and it’s certainly not easy being the captain here for the length of time he’s been here because there’s a huge responsibility.”

As a mark of just how long Brown has been captain at Celtic - the entirety of this decade – only the legendary Billy McNeill has skippered the club longer, and, like Brown, Cesar’s 12 years as captain accompanied unprecedented success for the Hoops.

Neil Lennon added: “He’s grown into that role and taken it on, and even during my first time as manager he was a great role model for younger players. He’s just matured even more so now. He knows his own body and the environment and familiarity of the Scottish game, the physicality of it as well.

“You see his performances in Europe as well. His tactical awareness is excellent - his reading of the game against Lazio in particular. We were under the cosh a little bit, and he was at the forefront of the good stuff we did.

“At 34 there’s no signs of the legs slowing. He knows his own body and he knows how well he’s playing, so he doesn’t need me to tell him that.”

Over the past few years, Brown has been known to take training sessions with the Academy players at Celtic and has been in the dugout at youth games – the perfect first steps on the road to eventual management in the game.

The Irishman said of Brown taking up managerial reins when he eventually retires from the playing side: “I don’t see why not with the career that he’s had and the experiences he’s gained. He’s currently doing his coaching badges so it’s the next logical step for him.

“Football’s been his life and certainly Celtic has played a huge part in that as well, so I don’t see why not. The players all look to him, respect him, listen to him and he sets the tone for the rest of the squad.”

SUPPORTERS can look forward to reliving the dramatic journey of Scott Brown’s Celtic career, with the ‘Broony – Captain. Leader. Legend’ DVD out this Friday, November 1 and available to pre-order now!

Scott Brown – Neil Lennon’s lieutenant on the pitch