Scott Brown called veteran defender an "old b*****d"

Last updated : 07 May 2009 By Mikbhoy

Whyte was a veteran defender winding down his own career at Partick Thistle when he first came into contact with 17-year-old Scott Brown starting out on his career at Hibs and the lack of respect from Brown marked him out as one to watch out for in the future. "Brown will be a big loss because he has been terrific this season." said Whyte. "I admire the way he plays the game. I remember one of my last games at Thistle and we went for a tackle. He went in a bit high and using my experience I went higher. He turned around to me and said 'You old b*****d!'"

"I was only 35 so I didn't like what he called me." he continued. "But I liked the fact he had a wee bit about him. And he has definitely come on as a player. Brown is a big loss but the big teams who win things need to cope with things like that. Celtic are not the same team without him though because his drive is incredible and he is also young and still developing. His best years are ahead."

The ex-Celt carved out a career with Middlesbrough, Aberdeen and Partick Thistle after leaving Celtic Park and he now works as a pundit for Dubai-based 'ShowSports', the sports channel on the Showtime Arabia network. He was back in Glasgow to promote the Glasgow derby for Setanta and he'd love to take in the match live at Ibrox but he has to head back to Dubai tomorrow ahead of the game. "The build-up to this game is quite incredible." he said "There is no other game like it anywhere just because of the history. I have played in North-East derbies and even the English boys say it can't be bigger than Arsenal-Spurs or Liverpool-Everton. But that's sh*t. There is nothing like it! I always tell the boys they should try to go to one."

Derek thinks that Saturday's game will be pivotal in the battle for the league flag but to say that the victors will automatically be champions would be doing the other teams in the league a disservice. "It is a bit disrespectful to say whoever wins will win the league because there are other teams involved." he said "You can't kid people. Celtic are going to Ibrox and this is a game where you need people to be men. They need to stand up and be strong. You have to focus on your opponent and try to stop him. If you do that you have to help the team in other ways."

"The game is so unpredictable." he continued. "It can be a mistake or a free-kick. It is so difficult to know how things are going to pan out. There could be a sending-off or a bit of magic. There is nothing like it. The nerves going into the game are quite incredible. You are playing not just for your team-mates, manager and supporters but you are also playing for your family. They all go to work the next day and there is a lot of pressure on you."

"I think Celtic will be strong enough, I really do." Whyte concluded. "I would like to say they can win the game but a point will be enough. Celtic won't go for a draw because I don't know any team who can play for a draw. It is not in their make-up either."