SCOTT BROWN enjoyed one of the proudest moments of his life when he paraded through Edinburgh with the CIS Cup in his hands. So there' no chance of the Celtic ace casting a dismissive glance towards the competition as he prepares for tonight's last-eight showdown against Hearts. At a stage of the season when Scotland's international team have been fighting for Euro 2008 qualification and Champions League matches are coming thick and fast, Brown could be excused for taking his foot off the pedal slightly. The loss of a European place for the winners of the CIS trophy has devalued the tournament in some eyes but it will always remain a permanent fixture in the heart of this Hoops star. Last season Brown helped Hibs lift the trophy after a 5-1 demolition of Kilmarnock at Hampden. It was a wonder day for the Hibees and they celebrated in style with their supporters. Brown bagged his first medal and that has given him a taste for silver. He said: "This is a special competition for me. Not many Hibs teams had won it and it was enjoyable to lift it last season. "We hadn't won a cup at Hibs for 16 years and going to Hampden was one of the proudest moments of my career. "We had already lost a final and the celebrations at night after the game were terrific. "We were taken on an open-top bus down Leith Walk and I'd reckon there were 20,000 or 30,000 fans there to watch us. "The scenes were phenomenal. Now I'm at Celtic, I am looking forward to winning a lot more." Hearts stood in Brown's way in the quarter-finals last season but John Collins got his Easter Road career off to the best possible start with a 1-0 win thanks to a Rob Jones goal. Brown would gladly take a repeat and said: "It could be a good omen that I am up against Hearts in the quarter-final again. "They are a physical side capable of playing good football as well and it can be hard when you've got a bit of both in there. "They are hard to break down but you enjoy playing against that because it is something different. "We feel a lot more confident going forward at Celtic Park, though, and we have a bit of everything. "We can play in different ways so this should be a good game. I always look forward to matches, particularly against the likes of Rangers, Hearts and Hibs." Brown has been a revelation for manager Gordon Strachan since his summer switch and Celtic fans have been impressed by the midfield dynamo. Having settled cosily into Parkhead, the 22-year-old is comfortable with the pressures that accompany life at the Old Firm and has no problems dealing with the hefty expectation levels. He said: "You are always under pressure to win trophies. The fans demand that and want you to win as many games as possible as well. "I think Celtic supporters should demand wins week in, week out. They pay our wages and come to watch us. "I came to Celtic to play in the Champions League, win the SPL and win trophies every year. "I am doing not too bad but you can always do better. I have had spells playing central midfield as well as behind Scott McDonald or a lone striker and it has been good. "It is interesting to play in different positions and learn how other team-mates play. It doesn't bother me. I just want to get a game." Brown has managed to silence the snipers who questioned whether his on-field temperament would stand the test at Celtic. In his younger days, the player earned a hot-head reputation but his aggression is now channelled into the correct areas and Strachan is reaping the rewards from his £4.4 million capture. Brown said: "I never think about being one booking away from suspension or anything like that. "I give it 110 per cent and if you mistime a challenge that is just something that happens. "If I am ruled out the gaffer has players who can come in and play my position in the next match. The gaffer tells us to go out and enjoy games but he gives advice too." Brown faces a test which is as tough mentally as it is physical as he copes with a sequence of high-profile matches There seems to have been a big game every three or four days since his transfer but there is no question of the midfielder complaining about a punishing schedule. He said: "There's no question of burn-out. Not yet, anyway. I am enjoying playing as many games as possible. "It is brilliant coming to training on Monday and Tuesday and then playing on a Wednesday before getting ready for the weekend. "Everyone wants to play as many games as they can and as well as they possibly can. That's why we do this." Brown will feature against Hearts and Strachan says he will need all his stars performing at their best to take care of the threat posed by the Tynecastle troops. He said: "They started the season not at their best but then got a run going and came strong before having a couple of results that were not so good. "They are a good side, with good players, and are a strong outfit. "Again, you will see them and think they are doing their best to win this thing. "You can't do any in-depth preparation because Hearts like to rotate their squad. "What you have to say is the side that played a couple of weeks ago looked big and strong and confident again. "They got a man sent off at the weekend so they were down to 10 and you don't take that result into account. "It's the same with the game we won 5-0 a little while ago because everything went into the back of the net for us that day. We played well but had breaks at times. "I can't bracket Hearts until I see what type of game we'll get but they have a physical presence." | 
