Brown wants Celtic to enjoy Linfield clash – despite no fans

Scott Brown says Celtic are going to lap up Friday night’s Windsor Park clash with Linfield – regardless of whether they have anyone there to cheer them on.

The Hoops kick-off their Champions League quest against David Healy’s team in Belfast later this week.

The match was originally scheduled to take place on July 11/12 but was moved back to avoid a clash with the annual Orange celebrations.

However, Celtic chiefs decided the risk of trouble between their fans – who have a history of supporting Irish republicanism – and Linfield’s loyalist faithful was still too great and have turned down their ticket allocation.

Blues chairman Roy McGivern has admitted he still expects some Hoops supporters to attempt to beat the ticket ban by sneaking in amongst the home support.

Brown knows he and his teammates are likely to face an intimidating atmosphere in any case but he is still relishing the showdown.

“I’m sure our support will make up for it once we get them at home,” the Scotland midfielder told CelticTV. “It will be fine, it won’t be a problem for us. It will be enjoyable, that’s for sure.”

Celtic suffered a humiliating slip-up in their opening European qualifier last year as they lost their first-leg clash to Gibraltar minnows Lincoln Red Imps.

But Brown reckons there is no chance of a repeat upset this time.

“Everyone is in a better condition this year than what we were last year,” said the captain, who is confident an achilles problem suffered in Saturday’s 9-0 romp over Shamrock Rovers will not stop him facing the Northern Irish champions.

“We’re looking a lot sharper, we scored nine goals as well in our last game so it shows we’re finding our feet and we’re finding it quickly.

“It’s going to be physical, it’s going to be a battle. They will want to make it a battle because of the way we play football and they’re going to try and stop us early doors.”