SCOTT BROWN returned to training today to boost Neil Lennon before tomorrow night’s Europa League last-32 encounter with FC Copenhagen at Parkhead.
The 34-year-old skipper limped off with a calf strain in the second-half of last week’s 1-1 draw in the Danish capital and was forced to miss his first Premiership game of the season when he was sidelined for Sunday’s 3-1 win over Kilmarnock.
However, the midfield dynamo put in a good shift with his Hoops colleagues at Lennoxtown as Lennon prepared his players for the return against the Danish champions.
And Hoops boss Lennon revealed Brown and James Forrest, who missed out on Sunday, are both fit for the crucial match.
Midfielder Olivier Ntcham also injured his calf in Denmark and won’t make it while Ryan Christie is suspended after picking up a yellow card last week.
Lennon, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “Scott and James are fit, but Oli will be out for maybe another week.
“We had a great win at the weekend, but obviously having Scott and his experience and with the way he has been playing this season, to have him in the team is obviously a confidence boost for the squad.
“James is a big-game player and we all know what he can bring to the team as well.”
Nir Bitton replaced Brown in the first leg after 73 minutes, but Lennon started the Killie confrontation with Tom Rogic alongside Callum McGregor in the engine room.
Mohamed Elyounoussi, who came on for the Aussie international with 20 minutes to go against the Rugby Park outfit, could also get a rare start in 2020 after struggling for match fitness following his foot injury sustained on international duty with Norway in November.
