Celtic may 'shut down' Scott Brown as injury puts him in doubt for Barca

Scott Brown has been having injections to get him through games.SNS Group

Neil Lennon insists Celtic are not taking a gamble with Scott Brown's career as they continue to manage a "significant" long-term hip complaint.

The midfielder has been receiving injections ahead of games this season, and went off injured at half-time in Scotland's defeat to Wales last Friday.

Brown has also had to take extended rest periods in between games but Lennon says he is confident they are striking a balance between the needs of the team and the player's long-term health.

"If they [Celtic medical team] were to feel it is a long-term problem then they would shut him down automatically," said Lennon. "We would not put his career or his future in jeopardy at all.

"The medical team seem to think he can cope with this at the minute. He gets rest and recovery in between games. He gets treatment, an injection before games and plays.

"For me, Scott is playing the best football of his career. It is just unfortunate that he has a significant problem.

"Speaking to the medical team, the only solution is a concerted period of rest. But he wanted to play for Scotland and we won't stand in his way of that but he was feeling sore even in the warm-up.

"He got through the first half and from where I was watching he looked pretty comfortable but obviously he was in a bit of distress and had to come off at half-time which isn't like him.

"The majority of games he comes through unscathed but the days after the game are a huge problem for him in terms of discomfort and pain."

While Brown is a doubt for both the weekend match with St Mirren and next week's Champions League trip to face Barcelona, Lennon also has worries over James Forrest (groin) and Kris Commons (hamstring).

The manager said: "James did his groin in training with the Scotland squad and Scott, as you know, has this on-going problem.

"This weekend may be too soon for them but they might have a chance for Tuesday.

"We are still waiting on Georgios Samaras, Emilio Izaguirre, Miku and Victor Wanyama to return [from international duty] but we are hoping to see them later on today or tomorrow but we have no reports of any knocks or niggles."

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