Scott Brown is not willing to accept there is a legitimate comparison between his situation and that of recently departed Gary Caldwell. Brown's ex team-mate headed to Wigan earlier this month after talks over an extension to his Celtuic contract broke down, six months before his deal was due to end. Despite being injured since October last year, Brown has been unable to avoid speculation over his own future. There were reports at Christmas that suggested the midfielder was told by manager Tony Mowbray that he wanted to sell him. These have been strongly denied by the Celtic manager. There have also been suggestions that Caldwell felt unwanted at the Parkhead club before his departure but Brown says his own situation is completely different.

He said: "I think Gary was in a different situation, he was running out of contract and stuff. I am kind of different from everyone else as well as I am out injured and not in training with the lads and around the lads all the time. I wouldn't say I was an outcast but it is not the same as being in training every day, so hopefully when I train with the lads we will see how it is and take it from there. When I am sitting about doing nothing I just think about how much I miss playing football and being around everyone. But at the same time I needed the rest and hopefully by the end of my career this helps me out, that I wasn't playing in pain every week."

Brown is now focusing on a return before the end of the season following surgery on his ankle and remains optimistic that Celtic will be among the prizes in May. Brown went on: "I want to get back playing myself as well, but at the end of the season we want to win as many games as we can by then, and hopefully win a few trophies as well."