NEIL LENNON has been speaking about his captain who shows no signs of slowing down at 34.

Scott Brown almost left Celtic at the end of last season when Australia came calling but while the midfielder was tempted he ultimately signed a new two-year deal with Celtic.

Since then, Brown continues to put on high-level performances in the big games and even grabbed two goals at the weekend against Hibs in the semi-final of the League Cup.

Broony is everything a captain should be – he leads by example and he drives the team on when things are going well and when things are going not so well.

The thought of losing Brown before we find a replacement is a growing concern but Neil Lennon believes we have the player for another 18 months at a very top level.

“He’s incredible. And I think he’s playing as well as ever.

“I look at Rangers away, Lazio, Hibs on Saturday, Aberdeen away and other games.

“He had a little bit of a toe problem at the start of the season, that was curtailing him. But he’s over that now.

“As for another contract, the way he’s playing at the minute, it might cost us a few bob!

“It will depend on how he’s feeling and how he’s playing at the time. I think he’s got another year after this one.

‘We’ll take a view of that maybe this time next year, with him as well.

“He’s in a good place and the players respect him and look up to him.

“He’s not in the team as a cheerleader. He’s in the team because he’s a bloody good player.

“And he keeps churning out consistent performances that we don’t take for granted.”

Brown will lead this Celtic side out against Lazio on Rome on Thursday night and will try and help the team to a memorable result.

Celtic are sitting top of the Europa League table after three games but they’ll need to work hard to stay there.