Brown steps in for Boruc

MARK BROWN will stand in for injured goalkeeper Artur Boruc as Celtic begin their defence of the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League at home tomorrow against Kilmarnock.

Poland international Boruc has been ruled out for the next couple of weeks with a shoulder injury. Summer signing Scott McDonald and defender Steven Pressley are suspended.

Rangers will be without new signing Steven Whittaker for today’s game against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Whittaker completed his move from Hibernian to Ibrox earlier this week but is suspended for the opening game of the season.

Andy Webster is also banned, while Chris Burke misses the trip to the Caledonian Stadium with an ankle injury. Long-term casualties Thomas Buffel and Steven Smith are still out of action. Meanwhile, Hearts have confirmed their interest in Manchester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

However, assistant head coach Stephen Frail insists the bid to bring the youngster to Tynecastle does not mean Hearts have resigned themselves to losing captain Craig Gordon.

Schmeichel, 20, impressed during a loan spell at Falkirk last season before returning to Manchester City in the summer. It is unclear whether Hearts hope to sign the son of former Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel on loan or on a long-term basis, but either way Frail does not expect a successful deal to signify the end of Gordon’s Tynecastle career.

Sunderland failed with a reported £8m bid last month and boss Roy Keane has refused to confirm his interest is dead.