THE interval approaches but Scott Brown knows that this season offers Celtic the promise of extraordinary drama in two acts.

The Celtic captain will face Motherwell tomorrow before entering a period of rest. His manager has indicated the Scottish internationalist will not be unduly exerted during a winter break that will include a trip to Spain.

Brown, though, is more enthused than weary. He pointed out he had already missed games because of his hip injury and was concerned about retaining sharpness rather than reflecting on a period that has brought pain with the glory.

After a brilliant start to the season, Brown has been hampered by an injury that has constrained him most obviously in Champions League matches where he he has had to be at his most energetic. One of the enduring images of the season may well be the midfielder sitting at Camp Nou and describing graphically his exhaustion to the referee.

This effort has helped bring the side into the last 16 of the Champions League and retain a heavy interest in the three domestic competitions. A hopefully revitalised Brown can look forward to the fifth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup, semi-finals of the Scottish Communities League Cup and the visit of Motherwell tomorrow leading a side with a six-point lead in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League with a game in hand.

The midfielder, though, wants to match expectation with action in domestic matches. "We want to go on a good run and have good form. We've got the last 16 to look forward to as well – I know that's a long way away and there's a lot of games between now and then, so we're looking forward to every single one," he said.

After the 1-0 defeat at Easter Road, he was at pains to insist there was no complacency in the Celtic squad. "It shows the league is definitely not over. It's going to be hard, especially going away to places like Hibs, Dundee United and Aberdeen. We've got to really pick up our form," he said.

He welcomed the mid-season shutdown that will include a spell in Marbella. "We've got five or six first-team players out injured, so it's been hard with the amount of games. We've not got the biggest squad in the world, so I think a two-week break will do us wonderfully," he said.

Anthony Stokes, Kris Commons and James Forrest have been long-term injuries but the casualty list has grown to include both Adam Matthews and Charlie Mulgrew, even if these two may be fit to play against Motherwell. Brown, too, is determined to make another effort before the Premier League takes a collective breath and is braced for a challenging match. "They're doing really well," he said of Motherwell. "They had a dip about a month ago, but they seem to be on good form now and it's going to be a hard game."

He was predictably disappointed at the result at Easter Road, saying: 'Hibs what they set out to, defended and counter-attacked really well. But I think we had 75, 80% of possession the whole game, and created a lot of chances. Just didn't have the quality in the final third to finish them off."

This inability has dogged Celtic domestically but Brown pointed out that a six-point lead at the top of the table was "not the worst". However, he was keen to emphasise that Celtic had a winning mentality and would seek to reinforce this with a victory against Motherwell. He relished the opportunity of advancing on four fronts, pointing out: "That's why you come to a club like Celtic."

Brown has already won two league titles, a Scottish Cup and a League Cup with the club but he conceded that 2012-2013 had the capacity to be "extra special". "We've got great composure on the ball, so we've got a lot to look forward to."

The reputations of many in the Celtic squad are growing, particularly after Champions League victories against Spartak Moscow and Barcelona. Gary Hooper, Victor Wanyama and Fraser Forster are three who are being eyed enviously by other clubs. Brown said these players and other arrivals had made a considerable impact on team morale. "They've come in and they've done wonderfully. The more games we play, the more fans see they're better players, and everyone in that dressing room believes in themselves. They know we're a good squad and we've really got to kick on now," he said.

Brown, who signed in summer 2007, added: "It's probably the best squad I've seen at the club."

One of the highlights of his 2013 may be another encounter with Andrea Pirlo, the 33-year-old who will control the tempo of Juventus when the Turin side face Celtic in the last 16 of the Champions League next month. Brown has already played against the metronomic passer twice, once when the Italian was in a national shirt and once when he was with AC Milan. "I'm looking forward to it, but there's a lot of games before then, so I'll just take that as it comes," he said.

But first there is duty on the home front and he has an uplifting message about Scottish football. "It is getting better. People are doubting Scottish football, but we are doing really well. I know it's hard financially for clubs, but they seem to be bringing younger people through and that shows that it's working," he said.

The industry continues tomorrow before Brown can take a rest before what could be a spectacular play that will be set both in Turin and Scotland.