Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes there are similarities between himself and Scott Brown - but insists his skipper is a better player.

The midfielder has had a big impact on the Hoops' current impressive form since making his return from an ankle injury at the end of November.

The Celtic captain has now been rewarded for his efforts by being named Clydesdale Bank Premier League player of the month for January.

Lennon said: "I'm delighted for him, I think he deserves it.

"He is playing with great authority on the pitch and he is an excellent captain.

"He has the respect of the players in the dressing room, which is very important to be a captain of a big club. I think he has matured.

"Getting over the ankle injury, I always felt we would get Scott back to his best and now we are seeing Scott at his best."

Asked if he sees similarities between himself as a player and Brown, the manager added: "I do, yes. In terms of personality.

"I think he's got more attributes than I had in terms of his running power and his eye for a goal.

"I'm just very pleased with how he has progressed in the role he has been given. He conducts himself very well on the park.

"He has matured a lot quicker than most people have done. I think he's had to, with the responsibility of the armband.

"He's a tough boy. He's mentally tough, he's physically tough. He's not dirty. He looks after himself and he looks after his team-mates very, very well."

Celtic face Hearts in the SPL on Wednesday night and Lennon said: "We have a chance to extend our lead at the top of the table and just try to put pressure on everybody else.

"Confidence is good. The team is playing very well and they are taking a lot of pride in what they are doing at the moment."

Polish striker Pawel Brozek could make his debut but defender Mikael Lustig (hip) remains on the sidelines while fellow new signing Rabiu Ibrahim, who has not featured due to red tape, is also not in the squad.

Goalkeeper Marian Kello does not know if he will play for Hearts again after risking reprisals from owner Vladimir Romanov and the club's board for speaking out over his omission from the team.

Kello missed Sunday's 1-1 William Hill Scottish Cup draw with St Johnstone and is set to remain unavailable for selection against Celtic after clashing with the Hearts board over his refusal to move to Austria Vienna on transfer deadline day.

With the media assembled for the pre-match press conference ahead of the Celtic game, Kello opted to hold an impromptu briefing of his own to tell his side of the story.

"I don't know exactly what is going to happen," said Kello, who is out of contract at the end of the season and says he has not been offered a new deal.

"The situation is very difficult. They should show me respect. For example, if they want me to negotiate a new contract, don't force me out of here."

Hearts' financial predicament is well documented, with a winding-up petition currently being processed through the Court of Session over an unpaid tax bill the club are confident of paying.

Kello appears to have angered Romanov and director Sergejus Fedotovas after the club missed out on a 100,000 euro (#83,000) fee for him.

Kello was unhappy at the 18-month contract offered and being coerced into the move.

He added: "I want to play for Hearts. They said they don't want me because next season, because of the money problem, they want to work with the youngsters.

"The club have signed two young keepers, I've been told. I don't figure in the future of the club. I was not offered a new contract. They forced me to go and they were saying `If you don't go, you might not play'."

The 29-year-old Slovakia international had missed training last week with a back complaint but warmed up for the Saints match and was fit to play.

Kello said: "If I have a chance to play, I will play. I will play 100% because it was the club who gave me the chance to be here, to improve and to get into the (Slovakia) national team.

"I've been here for three and a half years. I've tried to be honest and fight for the club and they just try to put me down all the time. I don't know why. I try always my best for the club."

Midfielder Ian Black serves a one-match suspension, winger David Templeton (groin) is a doubt and left-back Danny Grainger (groin) could be in contention while striker Kevin Kyle (hip) remains a long-term absentee.