Celtic: Scott Brown praises 'unbelievable' teammates
Brown drew criticism for his behaviour after the game when he celebrated in front of Rangers fans following the final whistle back in March.
The 33-year-old Celtic star was cleared at a hearing last week after being cited by the Scottish Football Association for “not acting in the best interests of the game” with his actions at Parkhead.
However, Brown hit back at being tarnished a “hooligan” and at those who questioned his conduct on the field.
The Hoops midfielder noted how Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent had hit him during the game and insisted he would have started a brawl if he was a thug.
If I was a hooligan, I’d have started a brawl in the middle of the pitch
Scott Brown
“I wasn’t worried. I don’t think I did anything really wrong,” Brown said.
“I celebrated with my team-mates and a fight kicked off and I walked away from it.
“Somebody (Morelos) elbowed me in the face and I walked away from it.
“Somebody (Kent) punched me in the face and I walked away from it.
Celtic captain Scott Brown has defended his actions during the last Old Firm derby (Image: GETTY)
Scott Brown drew criticism for his behaviour after the game (Image: GETTY)
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Scott Brown claimed Rangers' Alfredo Morelos elbowed him (Image: GETTY)
“If I was a hooligan, I’d have started a brawl in the middle of the pitch.
“But I just walked away from it all, I didn’t want to get myself booked or suspended. I think I acted quite well on the day.”
Celtic won the derby 2-1 with Rangers having two players suspended in the aftermath.
Morelos was sent off in the first half and Andy Halliday given a red card in the 97th minute.