No fans? No problem, insists Brown

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

Brendan Rodgers’ side kick off their Champions League quest against David Healy’s team in Belfast.

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

Brown knows he and his team-mates are likely to face an intimidating atmosphere 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 Celtic TV.

“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 firstleg clash to Gibraltar minnows Lincoln Red Imps. But Brown says there is little 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. Bayern Munich have signed James Rodriguez from Real Madrid on a two-year loan deal. The Bundesliga champions, managed by former Real boss Carlo Ancelotti, will have the option to buy the Colombia international in 2019.

Ancelotti worked with Rodriguez during what was probably his most productive season at the Bernabeu – his debut campaign in 201415 – and he will hope to get the best out of the 25-year-old