“It was my identity – what I needed to be the best I could be.”
Typically, a player grows hair before losing it to become a manager. It was done the other way around by Scott Brown.
This enforcer with a shaven cranium ruled Scottish football for almost twenty years, becoming one of the most decorated players in the history of the sport.
He can be seen these days with a large thatch in the Somerset Park dugout.
It turns out that the former Scotland and Celtic captain had baldness all planned.
The head coach of Ayr United says BBC Scotland, “I decided when I retired I would grow my hair for the kids and I do look like a more approachable person.”
The boots had been hung there for 38 years.
A while and Brown’s focus is all about navigating the notoriously choppy waters of the “tightest division in the world”.
‘I did it to intimidate players’
It was just a part of Brown to be bald. It influenced the mindset of a player who, each time he crossed the white line, would take on an unwavering demeanour. A mental armour to increase the likelihood of success.
“[I did it] just to intimidate people,” he claims. “I decided to be awful, that’s all. In the park, without really talking to anyone. I wouldn’t talk to players if they attempted.
“It wasn’t a big deal, but I wanted to make sure my mind was clear, I was prepared, and I was well-organized because I doubt I would have performed as well as I could have if I had laughed and joked about things at the park.
“On that pitch, you have ninety minutes to be anyone you want to be. You can be the victor, desire to control the game, show emotion, and make more noise outside of the locker room than usual. For me, it was quite effective.”
Indeed, it did. Following came an abundance of trophies, including 55 Scotland caps, six Scottish Cups, seven League Cups, and ten Scottish Premiership crowns.
“After the 90 minutes, I could go back to being Scott – sit down, chill and relax,” Brown says.
‘It’s about getting the balance right’
However, old age has numerous blessings. Perhaps a change in perspective on certain facets of life. Family also has an influence.
“The kids asked me if I had hair during Covid,” he says. “I wasn’t 100% sure if I actually did.”
It will be visible to everyone on Friday night when Ayr’s home match against the fierce Airdrieonians is televised by BBC Scotland.
The SPFL Trust Trophy winners under Rhys McCabe are in fourth place, which is the final promotion play-off slot, while the home team is in eighth place, three points above the relegation play-off spot.
But because of how crowded the Championship is, an Ayr victory would put them just one point ahead of Friday’s visitors.
“Two good weeks and you could be challenging for the top four – two bad weeks you could be challenging for the relegation zone,” Brown acknowledges.
Five games ago, Ayr defeated Airdrie under the direction of Anton Dowds, which helped them move up to fifth place. They’re gazing over their shoulder again now.
But Brown hopes to capitalise on the local enthusiasm for the team and feels he has the players to accomplish the season’s main goal of staying in the division.
“[Former head coach] Lee [Bullen] brought in a good squad and I have got the benefit of the lads now,” he claims.
“Although we are a fairly young team, we do have a few seasoned pros. It’s all about striking the appropriate balance.
We are fortunate that some of the young players who are coming through are aware of the club and what it means to them since they have never been anywhere else.
“The other week, Fraser Bryden, an Ayr supporter for life, scored a goal against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, and all of his friends were in the stands, cheering, chanting, and singing his name. Everyone gets emotional when he does manage to score those goals.”
As the campaign draws to a close, that emotional rollercoaster is at full speed ahead.
While the shorn head is gone, Brown knows what it takes to succeed in this stage of the season, and that determined, unwavering mindset is here to stay.
