We’ll keep celebrations muted until it’s certain, admits Brown

Scott Brown admits VAR could momentarily curtail Celtic celebrations should the Hoops score against FC Copenhagen tonight.

The video assistant referee will be in use for the first leg of the last-32 clash at the Parken Stadium.

The implementation of VAR in English football has brought widespread criticism, although Russian referee Sergey Karasev will use the pitchside monitor as opposed to external referees making decisions elsewhere, which has been a source of the complaints.

Brown, speaking at the Parken Stadium, said: “It will be something different for us.

“We know not to get too carried away if we do score and after that hopefully we get the correct decision.

“But it is in the competition now and we have to get used to it because it will probably come to Scotland eventually as well, so I think all the lads need to get used to it.

“We had it in a friendly at the start of the season and it is one of those ones that you just deal with it and get on with it.

“If the referee needs to go and see the television, he needs to go and see the television and if there is a decision to be made there is a decision to be made and we just need to get on with it.

“I think all technology going forward is good for the game.

“There are always some teething problems but eventually they are going to make sure it is a lot quicker and makes the flow smoother. I am sure they will get it sorted in a couple of years.”

Manager Neil Lennon is also interested in how VAR pans out against the Danish side.

The Northern Irishman said: “I will be needing a little bit of patience and hopefully not tinged with frustration.

“It will be an interesting concept because obviously we have not used it before but the decision is solely with the referee and not a committee elsewhere.”

Celtic could not be in better form, having won nine out of nine in all competitions since the turn of the year.

However, Brown tempered too much expectation of the Scottish champions.

The veteran midfielder said: “As soon as were in the group stages we wanted to get European football after Christmas and we have managed to tick that box.

“We will worry about one game at a time and hopefully we will get a good result tomorrow and take them back to Celtic Park next week.

“We want that good run in Europe but you don’t want to get too carried away and start talking about that just now.”

Striker Leigh Griffiths and defender Greg Taylor did not travel to Denmark, nor did longerterm injured defender Hatem Abd Elhamed.

As a partner to Odsonne Edouard, Griffiths has been key to the 3-5-2 formation that Lennon has preferred to the 4-2-3-1 since the start of 2020, which has brought nine wins out of nine.

Scott Brown.