Michael Stewart insists Scott Brown can still be "a huge player" for Celtic - as long as he's managed properly.
The 35-year-old has come in for his fair share of criticism this season, with suggestions his declining physical powers have held Neil Lennon's side back when he's been deployed in a starting role.
Brown's contract is up in the summer and so far there has been no indication of whether he'll hang up his boots, stay in Glasgow or move elsewhere.
The Celtic captain has played all but 20 minutes of his side's last four games, and won praise for his showing in the 2-1 win at St Johnstone.
And Stewart believes that performances like that prove Brown can be a big player for his club into next season - but only if he's managed properly.
He said on Sportscene: "It's his reading of the game, recognising where the danger is.
"Look, Scott Brown will be 36 in the summer.
"We've seen Ismaila Soro coming in and playing games, and doing well.
"Scott Brown still has a very important part to play in the Celtic side.
"He's not going to play every game, I don't know how long I've been going on about this: he can't play 60 games a season.
"But you can see if you manage it properly he can play a big part for 20, 30 games.
"And that's the important thing for Celtic that they need to recognise.
"They need to have some alternative but Scott Brown can still be a huge player for Celtic - as long as you manage the games he plays.
"He's 36 years old (in the summer), you're not going to play 60 games a season."
