Neil Lennon was never in doubt that "imperious" Scott Brown would hit his stride again this season.
The Celtic captain has faced calls for a diminished role in the club's push for 10 In A Row following a slow start to the campaign.
The 35-year-old has faced the accusations before - his legs have finally packed it in, he's finished.
But Lennon insists the club's data analysis tells a very different story.
And, sure enough, despite making his fourth start in 11 days, Brown was instrumental in Celtic's 3-0 win over former club Hibs on Sunday.
Jeremie Frimpong scooped the official man of the match award but, for Lennon, there was only one winner.
"I thought he was man of the match and brilliant," the manager said of his captain.
"I know people have been questioning him but sometimes he takes a little bit to get going, he needs the games.
"He was imperious today.
"His legs haven't gone, we've got all the data and see it every day. That will maybe kickstart his season.
"He's so important on and off the field, he's the fulcrum of the team."
"His performance today was magnificent."
And former Celtic boss Gordon Strachan hailed Brown's influence as priceless.
He told Celtic TV: “Scott led by example and I picked him as one of my choices as man of the match.
“He's seen it all and done it all before, coming back from midweek European games at 4am and then training properly.
“His attitude was fantastic and you could see him cajoling players at 2-0 up.
“If a team scores at that point, it can be difficult but he was in there organising.
“Scott's ability on the ball was good and had a lot to do with Celtic's victory."
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