EXCLUSIVE
Scott Brown may have played against Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Kaka - but none came close to physical specimen Clarence Seedorf.
The Celtic legend enjoyed a number of midfield battles against Europe's elite during his many seasons playing in the Champions League.
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No player has featured in more European matches for the Hoops than the 38-year-old, who appeared in 127 games from 2007-2021.
In that time he played against Barcelona, AC Milan, Manchester United and City, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
But it was one Milan maestro from the 2007/08 season that has stood out above the rest in terms of being the physically toughest opponent he ever faced in midfield.
Speaking on the talkSPORT Breakfast show, the Ayr United manager said: "I ran into this one guy in the middle of the park.
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"We're playing Celtic-AC Milan, Seedorf in the middle of the park, and oh my God, it was like running into a brick wall."
Former Chelsea and Aston Villa star Andy Townsend then interjected to share a similar story about coming up against the Dutch icon.
He remarked: "It's amazing Scott that you've said that.
"Because I played in a game with Clarence Seedorf in a play-off game - Ireland against Holland at Anfield trying to qualify for Euro 1996.
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"I ran into him and I thought I had done my [anterior] cruciate ligament."
A laughing Brown then replied: "I swear, I thought I had a bit of power and pace, and he was just standing! Oh my God. He was fantastic."
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Brown has previously declared that Spain's World Cup-winning hero Iniesta was the toughest to play against in terms of footballing ability.
He revealed last year: "Iniesta. He was always looking to turn and drive forward and cause problems, and he did!"
Following his Seedorf admission, talkSPORT co-host Ally McCoist asked the ten-time Scottish Premiership winner to name his greatest teammates.
To which he singled out Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk following the two years they played together at Celtic Park between 2013-2015.
Brown said: "Virgil. He played in cruise control up here, he literally had a cigar out every game.
"He was like [Cameron] Carter-Vickers at the back, we could leave him one-v-one and the rest of us just ran forward."
Brown then quipped: "It was too easy for him! He was so good."