John Kennedy said Scott Brown is the perfect example of what every professional should strive for and added the Celtic captain would be greatly missed when he leaves the club.

Brown announced earlier today (Thursday) that he would bid farewell to Celtic at the end of the season after 14 years with the club. The Hoops captain will take up a player/coach position at Aberdeen next season alongside Stephen Glass.

Celtic’s interim manager John Kennedy was full of praise for Brown as he gave his reaction to the announcement and described the Hoops captain as ‘irreplaceable’.

“He’s been a terrific captain and leader of the group,” said John Kennedy. “He’ll be irreplaceable in terms of what he gives us on a daily basis, his drive to be successful and how he leads the group by example every single day. It’s very difficult to replace that but in terms of what he’s given us, with his attitude and application us second to none.

'He’s the perfect example of a modern-day professional. How he lives his life, the condition he keeps himself in and how he pushes himself every single day is incredible.'

“He’s the guy coaches and always look to in order to take some of the burden off other players. You always know Scott’s there and every match day you hear him before games and you hear him on the pitch.

“He drives the training forward every day. He’s a massive character, a huge personality and he’s been a massive part of this club for so long and he’ll certainly be missed.”

“I’d love to have had more time with him and seen him bring more success to the club but it’s his own personal decision and we have to respect that. He’s given so much of his life to us and we wish him all the best moving forward.

“He’s one of the greats of this club, that’s without doubt, and that’ll only grow as time passes. He’s a huge part of the club and he always will be in my eyes.

“He’s very much focused on his playing and finishing well here. In terms of his attributes, he’s very coach-like in terms of how he conducts himself and the way he leads by example and behaves himself. That’s a part of coaching as well so he has a great base there to be a great coach.”

John Kennedy attributed Brown’s incredible success with Celtic to his work ethic and desire to always help the team. He said Brown’s career will serve as a template for other young players to follow.

“With young players, they might have the talent but that alone isn’t enough to be successful,” he said. “It comes down to attitude and application. I remember Scott as a young player at Hibs and his desire on the pitch was outstanding.

“When you see him up close you realise that desire he brings on a matchday is there every day in training. His unselfishness to make others better, as well as himself, is an outstanding quality to have and it’s why he’s been the captain of this club for so long. He’s a massive part of why this club has been so successful.

“He doesn’t do things for his own benefit. Scott is very much a guy who does everything for the benefit of the team and the club. The way he leads on a daily basis, the way he leads in the dressing room and how he performs on the pitch is all for the team to be successful.”

John Kennedy: Scott Brown has been a massive part of this club's success