NEIL Lennon and Scott Brown extended their congratulations to Josh Taylor last night in the wake of the Tartan Tornado becoming Scotland’s first unified world boxing champion since Ken Buchanan almost half a century ago, writes Stewart Fisher.

Taylor, who defeated Regis Prograis of the USA by a majority points decision at the o2 in London on Saturday night to walk away with the WBA, IBF and Ring Magazine super lightweight world titles, not to mention the WBSS winner’s Ali Trophy. was a regular visitor to Hibs’ East Mains training ground whilst Lennon was manager. The Easter Road connection saw him also make the acquaintance of Brown, who admitted he had drawn inspiration from his victory as he sat up and watched it on his i-Pad prior to Celtic’s rout of Aberdeen.

“I know Josh, I’ve not spoken to him since the fight but I think everyone would be wanting a piece of him the now,” said Brown. “I sat up in Aberdeen and watched the fight on my i-Pad. He is a great guy who is really down to earth, I am just delighted for him that he has done so well. Could I take him? Why not! I would give it a good go for five minutes!”

“He came into East Mains a few times as he’s a big Hibee and Shane and Barry McGuigan are his managers,” said Lennon. “He’s very talented and it was a helluva fight. People have been talking about Josh for a long time since he won the Commonwealth gold and McGuigan has been singing his name from the rooftops since he turned professional. He’s turned into an unbelievable fighter and it was fight of the year against Prograis. He’s a credit to himself and his country and there will be some more big fights to look forward to now. I tried boxing a few times and got the c**p knocked out of me! That was the end of that!”