Celtic midfielder Scott Brown is likely to be out of action for up to five weeks after it was discovered he needs to undergo ankle surgery. It will come as a hammer blow to new boss Tony Mowbray as he prepares for Celtic’s crucial Champions League qualifier first-leg at the end of July.

Hoops skipper Stephen McManus is already certain to miss the Euro tie as he recovers from a knee operation.

Mowbray will now need to bolster his midfield options ahead of Celtic’s first competitive game of the season, especially with both Paul Hartley and Shunsuke Nakamura on the way out of the club.

PFA Player of the year Brown originally suffered his ankle problem at the tail end of the season. Brown, had to come off in each of the final two games against Hibs and Hearts. His fitness will also be of huge concern for Scotland boss George Burley ahead of the World Cup qualifier in Norway on August 12.

Celtic report back for training on July 1, with their first warm-up game in Australia against Brisbane Roar 11 days later.

Tagged with: brown, Celtic, injury

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