Celtic boss Neil Lennon admits he can’t afford to leave veteran skipper Scott Brown out of his side.
The 34-year-old signed a new deal at Parkhead in January and has already confirmed he’ll retire in 2021.
Brown played 51 games last season and is set for another long campaign as Celtic look to dominate in Scotland again and qualify for the Champions League.
But Lennon believes his captain is as fit as he’s ever been and he has no plans to give the midfielder a rest.
In fact, the Hoops gaffer says he’d be worried about the impact it could have on his team if he dropped Brown from his starting line-up.
He said: “At 34, there’s no sign of him slowing down yet.
“I know it’s early in the season but his athleticism and fitness levels are remarkably high for a player of his age.
“He’s a bit different to everybody else, he’s just a natural.
“In any of the running sessions we do, Scott’s at the front. He has incredible cardiovascular capacity.
“He sets the tempo in training. He’s at the forefront and takes the responsibility.
“He was outstanding in both of Champions League qualifying games against Sarajevo and he’s a safety valve for us.
“I don’t think you ever lose that edge he has. On and off the field, he’s such a good influence for us.
“If he was out of the team for any concerted period of time – it would be a serious concern for me.”
