SCOTT BROWN, the Celtic captain, will not play against Hearts tomorrow and will almost certainly only be able to feature in one of Scotland's two forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Wales and Belgium.
Lennon was dismissive of his midfielder's chances of playing at Celtic Park and it now appears as if Craig Levein, the national manager, may have to decide whether to play Brown in Cardiff or Brussels. Levein's plans for the double header were affected yesterday when Steven Naismith was banned for two matches for elbowing Serbia's Srdjan Mijailovic in Scotland's Group A opener so Brown's return would improve options.
"I have spoken to Craig and he knows what the situation is," said Lennon.
Brown had to take anti-inflammatory pills and an injection to treat a chronic hip injury before taking part in Celtic's 3-2 Champions League win over Spartak Moscow in Russia on Tuesday.
However, Lennon described his midfielder as ''incredible'' after he defied pain to lead Celtic to the club's first away victory in the Champions League group stages.
"He is an incredible boy. He took three strides at training then walked off. But we kept him on the pitch because there was a lot of press there and we didn't want to give anything away,'' said Lennon. "But he was in agony. Whatever he and the medical team do, such as paracetamol and injections before a game, he goes and plays like that and it was just a remarkable performance. But he is in a lot of pain now."
Lennon said the midfielder would join up with the national squad for the games next Friday and on the following Tuesday.
"He may only be able to play one of the two games,'' he said. ''I've spoken to Craig about it already and it will be up to Craig and Scott to gauge how they go about the training regime and the games." There was more upbeat news for Lennon with three Celtic players signing extended contract last night. Adam Matthews, the Welsh full-back, has committed himself to the club until May 2016, James Forrest, the Scotland winger, is contracted now until December 2016 and Charlie Mulgrew, the Scotland defender, signed a deal that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2016.
Mulgrew, 26, who won the major player of the year awards last season, told the club's website: "It's good to get it signed and focus only on the football. Last year was a good one for me. I've been happy to be back. Things have been going well for me so, hopefully, that can continue.
"All the players here now understand what this club is all about, and for me, growing up as a Celtic fan, I understand fully what the fans expect here and, hopefully, we can deliver that.''
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