Tam McManus reveals Scott Brown text after role in Rangers controversy
Scott Brown admits he was fishing when he got Ryan Kent sent off for Rangers last night and goaded the winger off the pitch, according to Tam McManus.
Gers winger Kent was shown a second yellow card for a foul on the Aberdeen captain who was then seen laughing at his opponent and gesturing him back down the tunnel.
And former Hibernian striker McManus communicated with his ex-teammate by text after the game, where Brown sent a single emoji to indicate his enjoyment at his part in proceedings.
McManus told PLZ Soccer: “I messaged him last night after the game with a smiley emoji and he sent me back the fishing emoji. That’s what he’s like.
“He’s been like that since he was a boy at Hibs, he gets involved in things.
“Ryan Kent has got to be more clever and astute than that.
“It’s not a red card for me but if you fly in, in that atmosphere, any experienced player is going to roll about and try to get you sent off, it’s part of the game.”
Pantomime villain
It comes as no surprise that former Celtic captain Brown was in his element in winding up his long time rivals, just as he did during 14 years in Glasgow.
It is also not the first time he has managed to wind up the Ibrox midfielder as he successfully managed to bait the Englishman into a ‘punch’ during an infamous Old Firm derby in 2019.
Kent was handed a retrospective ban on that occasion, and the Hoops midfielder was again at the centre of things when players from both sides clashed after the final whistle, in one of many run-ins over the years.
Rangers should probably have known what to expect, not least Kent, and it will be especially frustrating for Light Blues fans to see their side fall into the trap.
Referee Kevin Clancy arguably fell into the same trap as he decided to show the second yellow after a relatively innocuous challenge drew an exaggerated reaction from the Dons player.
Brown knew exactly what he was doing and clearly enjoyed the way things went, while Gers will be wondering how much longer they will have to keep running into their long-time tormentor.
In other Rangers news, this transfer target’s club reportedly need to sell to fund their own moves.