AS far as Neil Lennon is concerned, Scott Brown and James Forrest are modern-day Celtic greats, and no-one could disagree with that assessment.

Both players have been at the club for every one of the nine-in-a-row seasons, and are integral to the club’s success.

Scott Brown, as captain, now joins the legendary Billy McNeill as the only player to have captained a side for nine consecutive league triumphs. During these past nine years, he has made 257 league appearances, scoring 17 goals… and lifting nine league trophies!

And James Forrest, who was given his first-team debut by Neil Lennon back in May 2010, has made 222 league appearances in the nine-in-a-row run, scoring 54 goals.

Both Brown and Forrest join Billy McNeill, Jimmy Johnstone and Bobby Lennox as the only Celts who have won nine consecutive league titles for the Hoops.

Speaking to Celtic TV, Neil Lennon said: “To sit here, quite rightly and justifiably enjoying the fruits of the season, to have won a ninth league title in a row when everyone wants to knock you off your perch, I’m so happy, in particular for Brown and Forrest, because they’ve been there the whole way through it and that is something very special.

“They’re phenomenal really. I’ve said it before, but they are two modern-day Celtic greats and they’ll be talked about in years to come, if and when they do decide to hang their boots up.

“Browny is a great leader, on and off the field. He sets a really high bar, even in training, but he sets the bar the highest when the performances come around and when the games come around. Certainly, he’s played a huge part in the success the club’s enjoyed over the years.

“Jamesy, I’m really proud of him because I gave him his debut and now, 10 years on, he’s a nine-in-a-row winner and you look at the achievements he’s had over the last five or six years – Player of the Year, International Player of the Year. He was well on course for scoring 20 goals this season and that, for a winger, is a pretty special return.

“So there was no letting up for either of them really, in terms of their quality and in terms of their consistency of performance, and in terms of their desire to get better.”

Manager’s praise for two modern-day Celtic greats