SCOTT BROWN is poised to return to the starting line-up for the Europa League Group H clash with Lille in France tonight.
The 35-year-old Hoops skipper came on as a 70th-minute substitute for Olivier Ntcham in the 3-3 draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Sunday.
It’s the second time this month the midfielder has been called off the bench to answer an SOS from boss Neil Lennon. He was also given the green light to come on against St Johnstone at Perth.
The team were toiling at 0-0 at McDiarmid Park when Brown replaced Greg Taylor in the 82nd minute and goals from fellow-subs Leigh Griffiths and Patryk Klimala in the fading moments gave the champions a 2-0 triumph.
In the north east at the weekend, Lennon’s men were 2-1 down when the veteran dynamo made his presence known and they were within seconds from a comeback 3-2 win until Lewis Ferguson scored his second penalty-kick of the afternoon to salvage a point for his team.
However, it is odds-on Brown will be tasked with making an early impact against the Ligue 1 leaders at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in the club’s second section encounter after losing 3-1 to AC Milan a week ago.
Lennon, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “This game is well suited to Scott. He made a really positive contribution on Sunday at Aberdeen when he came on.
“He’s fresher, too. The rest did him the world of good and, obviously, he’ll come into contention to start.”
*DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from Lille v Celtic this evening – only in your champion CQN.
