SCOTT Brown insists he will be fit in time for Celtic's first Champions League qualifier despite undergoing minor ankle surgery on Monday.
The Scotland midfielder, 23, had to cancel a holiday in Dubai to have an operation on the injury that hampered him throughout the final weeks of last season.
One report claimed that Brown was in serious danger of missing the first qualifying rou
nd at the end of July. But the former Hibs player is confident of helping new manager Tony Mowbray get his reign at Celtic off to a good start.
"It seems some people want to do a bit of scaremongering but the medical staff are confident I'll be ready to play in the qualifiers," he said.
"I had the operation on Monday night and although it feels pretty sore right now I've been told I'll be back training next week and I should be able to sprint again in a little less than four weeks from now.
"I'm a fit lad anyway so I see no reason why I should miss the start of the season. It wasn't a major operation – just keyhole stuff, nothing much more than a clear-up.
"I was in a bit of pain at the end of the season and I needed injections to play the last few games.
"I suppose that hasn't really helped me in the long run because I've had to go under the knife.
"But I'm desperate to play my part in these qualifiers and to help the manager get off to the best possible start."
Meanwhile, Portsmouth defender Hermann Hreidarsson has agreed a new one-year contract at Fratton Park.
News of the 34-year-old left-back's decision to stay on the south coast will end speculation linking the Iceland international with a move to Middlesbrough, Celtic or Rangers.
The new deal also includes the option of a further year should Hreidarsson play a certain number of games next season.
Executive chairman Peter Storrie told the club's website, www.portsmouthfc.co.uk: "Hermann's been looking at his options and he's decided he wants to stay."
The full article contains 359 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
