Brown could face bench duty for Bhoys

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has the sort of selection issues his opposite number Walter Smith can only dream about ahead of tomorrow’s Old Firm clash with injury-hit Rangers.

While Rangers must cope without Kevin Thomson, Carlos Cuellar, Allan McGregor, Lee McCulloch, Charlie Adam, Steven Naismith and Chris Burke through a combination of injury and suspension, Strachan could show off the Celtic squad’s current strength by naming £4.4m man Scott Brown on the bench.

The Brown dilemma is perhaps the most difficult Strachan has to contend with, as the 22-year-old returns from a three-game ban.

After Celtic spent so heavily to bring in the midfielder from Hibernian last summer, the Rangers fixture was one in which Brown would have been expected to perform a key role.

However Strachan has hinted that Barry Robson and Paul Hartley will take up central midfield duties, which could sideline Brown and Massimo Donati.

The Hoops boss referred to Brown’s ban as a “self-inflicted” wound during the week, and Celtic have won their three games in the youngster’s absence.

“There’s a few I have got to make decisions on, no doubt about it,” said the Celtic manager.

“Barry and Paul have done well. Their energy at this time of the season has been good, so that’s something I need to think about it.”

Strachan also has defender Gary Caldwell back from suspension and a number of players returning from injury.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Lee Naylor, Hartley and Andreas Hinkel have returned to training after missing part or all of last weekend’s 1-0 victory over Aberdeen.

And Shunsuke Nakamura is expected to be fit after being struck by an ankle injury and a virus this week.

Vennegoor of Hesselink’s injury-time winner in the last derby less than a fortnight ago should keep his place secure, with Georgios Samaras and Scott McDonald vying to partner the Dutch striker.

Caldwell is likely to replace Bobo Balde, who made a rare appearance against the Dons, while full-backs Hinkel and Naylor may return in place of Paul Caddis and Mark Wilson.

Celtic will be seeking a repeat of their recent 2-1 win over Rangers, to stretch their two-point lead at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Rangers, thanks to their three games in hand, remain firm title favourites, but Strachan does not feel his team have anything to prove against their rivals.

They put a halt to a four-game Old Firm derby losing run earlier in the month.

And Strachan said: “To be fair, I have had more than one win against Rangers since I have been here.

“If you think about it, we didn’t win four but before that we did very well, and we won the last one.

“So it depends which way you look at it. If you look at a one-game period, then we are 100% against Rangers.

“If you look at a 12-game period we are at least 50%. If you look at the period in between, where you want to look, it’s not very good.

“The players have kept to the same standard of training and belief they have shown throughout the season. I believe in what I do.”