CHRIS SUTTON knows more than most that you can’t write our captain off at any juncture. The media have been at it for years, after the Deila era, Brown’s Celtic career had been eulogised by many. Who knew, the next four years would see him play the best football of his career and cement himself as a Celtic legend.

That’s why the BT Pundit makes it clear he’s not writing the player off when he says Brown could do with a few games off. The former Celtic striker believes to get the best out of the captain this season, Neil Lennon needs to give him a break.

Scott Brown will tell you otherwise but you will rarely get a player telling you he wants a break. The manager has to be the one to make that decision for the midfielder.

We have a long season with so many games, we need our best players playing at our best but we also need to utilise the squad and there are games when Brown doesn’t need to play from the start.

Writing in his RecordSport Column, Sutton thinks Duffy’s arrival will allow Neil Lennon to rest Scott Brown – they don’t occupy the same position but Duffy can show the leadership qualities needed when Scott isn’t there.

“Brown, especially, could do with being rested at times for his own sake.” Sutton wrote.

“Let’s be clear here, I’m not saying he’s finished. Far from it. He’s still crucial to the set-up.

“But it also doesn’t mean he should be forced to play 60 games
 a season. Give
 him the odd day or night off and that’ll make sure he’s dynamic and full of life for 40 or 45 of them.

“Brown is a leader on the pitch for Lennon. I can understand why the manager would want
 him there every second of every game.

“But hopefully that’s where Duffy’s signing will be about more than just a top player arrival. First and foremost he’s a superb defender.”

Do you think it’s time to box clever with Scott Brown?