Celtic coach Peter Grant has hinted that Scott Brown will be asked to help rescue the Hoops' Champions League ambitions against Dinamo Moscow in Russia on Wednesday night.

The Parkhead side flew out from Glasgow airport yesterday aiming to make history by overturning a first-leg deficit in Europe for the first time following their 1-0 defeat at home in the first leg of their third-round qualifier last week.

Brown, who underwent surgery on his ankle at the end of the season played for an hour in Saturday's friendly defeat by Sunderland at Parkhead.

Hoops boss Tony Mowbray will gauge any reaction from the Scotland midfielder before he decides on his line-up.

“We're chuffed to have him back. It's a big boost,” he said.

“We are delighted that he got that period of time on the pitch on Saturday, it's been a hard graft all through the summer.

“He looked very good but it's important we see how he reacts today because obviously it was a tough game for him and he hasn't had much football. But he's a very, very good player and I think he will get better.

“The one thing you have to have against the top sides is all your best players available and there is no doubt he comes into that (category).

“He's got that steel, that determination and a desire to go forward and score goals.”

Grant is aware of the task that awaits Celtic but is confident of overcoming the odds.

“We know we have to win, that's for sure,” he said. “That's the big thing, we have to win the game — draws don't count now.

“We knew what we were going into in these two games, we knew how difficult it was going to be and that was proved in the first game.

“But we battled away and created chances, that gives great hope and hopefully we will take them this time.”