BROWN HOPES TO FINN-ISH THE JOB
HELSINKI (1) v CELTIC (2) Champions League Qualifier – 2nd leg
NEIL LENNON will give skipper Scott Brown and winger James Forrest every chance to make tonight’s game in Finland.
Brown’s hip injury kept him out of the 1-0 SPL opening weekend win over Aberdeen.
Forrest also missed the league curtainraiser and is now battling to recover from a groin injury.
Striker Georgios Samaras has shrugged off the effects of a boot to the face sustained against the Dons, while defender Charlie Mulgrew returns from suspension.
And the Hoops boss is confident of Brown making it.
Stiff
He said: “Georgios will be fine. We will see how James and Scott are this evening.
“They are still a little bit stiff and sore so we’re giving them as much time as we can. We’ll maybe even give them until the afternoon of the game.
“I think there has been a significant improvement in both of them over the last couple of days.
“Having spoken to the medical team, Brown’s chances are good – and Scott likes to play even when he is not 100 per cent.
“He’s such an important player for us but because it’s such an important game, we can’t take too many chances.
“And let’s not forget it’s still so early in the season. We don’t want to lose him if we push him too hard too early.”