New Bhoy Brown stars for Celtic

CELTIC finished their pre-season preparations with a 1-0 win over Italian side Parma at Parkhead.

This was the only home warm-up match arranged before the champions start their defence of the Clydesdale Bank of Scotland Premier League title against Kilmarnock at home next Sunday.

And an 84th-minute goal by midfielder Aiden McGeady, after he had sent a free-kick crashing off the crossbar minutes earlier, was enough to give the Hoops victory.

However, the main plus point Celtic manager Gordon Strachan can take from the game is the form of Scott Brown who made his home debut following his £4.4m (€6.5m) transfer from Hibernian.

But keeper Artur Boruc is set to miss the start of the season with a troublesome shoulder injury. The Poland international picked up the knock during the friendly against Newcastle at St James on Thursday night.

Number two Mark Brown deputised against the Serie A side and will keep his place for the league opener.

And the former Rangers keeper is set to take over in the first leg of the Champions League third qualifier which will be drawn on Friday.

Celtic coach Tommy Burns admitted Boruc is struggling to be fit for Europe. He said: “Artur has got a problem with a joint in his shoulder. He could be out for two or three weeks.”

Burns insists, however, that he would have no qualms if Brown has to play in his first European game. He said: “Mark played well against Parma. He’s a good lad and he has conducted himself well. If Artur is out then the lads will feel safe with Mark.”

The form of Scott Brown — who made his home debut following his £4.4m transfer from Hibernian, a record fee between two Scottish clubs — had the Celtic Park crowd in raptures. The Scotland international played in a higher gear than most of his team mates and enthused the home support in what was otherwise a tepid friendly. Burns joked when discussing the support Brown got from the Celtic supporters throughout the match.

He said: “Scott got a good reception. If I was him I wouldn’t play again. You can’t get any better than that!”