Celtic-bound Brown handed Hibs swansong

Celtic-bound Scott Brown was included in Hibernian's starting line-up for the SPL clash against the champions at Easter Road.

Celtic-bound Scott Brown is included in Hibernian's starting line-up for the SPL clash against the champions at Easter Road today.

The 21-year-old Scotland midfielder signed a five-year deal with the Parkhead side on Wednesday for a fee believed to be £4.4m, a record between two Scottish clubs.

But Hibernian manager John Collins retains Brown in the centre of midfield, allowing him a final match as an Easter Road player.

Celtic skipper Neil Lennon is one of several Hoops players rested ahead of next Saturday's Tennent's Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline at Hampden Park.

Goalkeeper Mark Brown and midfielder Theodore Bjarnason make their first-team debuts for the visitors.

Hibernian: McNeil, Whittaker, Jones, Hogg, Murphy, Stevenson, Zemmama, Scott Brown, McCann, Fletcher, Shiels.

Subs: Simon Brown, Beuzelin, Sproule, Campbell, Chisholm, Gray, Martis.

Celtic: Brown, Perrier Doumbe, Kennedy, McManus, O’Dea, Hartley, Caldwell, Gravesen, Bjarnason, Riordan, Beattie.

Subs: McGovern, Irdine, Conroy, Cuthbert, McGeady, Sheridan, Paul Caddis.

Referee: I Brines (Scotland).