ON Saturday afternoon Scott Brown scored one, made the second and helped out with the third.

He lasted the full 90 minutes and was very obviously the man of the match as he pulled the strings in the middle of the park.

Neil Lennon has claimed that surgery may not solve the problematic hip complaint, while Brown himself has declared himself "bored" with all chat about the injury.

If he is happy to play on, as the manager has insisted, then it seems that Celtic should simply go with it, especially if there is no guarantee that having an op and spending 10 weeks out will solve the problem.

It may be that Celtic have to re-address the issue should it become obvious that the player is struggling to make it through games or be as influential as they need him to be.

On current evidence, though, that doesn't appear to be the case.

Until Brown calls it himself, Celtic should try to get the most out of him.

NO GUARANTEES says RONNIE CULLY

THE Celtic captain is not just one of the most influential footballers in the Scottish game, he is also one of the bravest.

But, sometimes, brave men need to be saved from themselves, and the continued practise of taking injections to play on is a major concern.

The Parkhead club's medical staff are offering the best possible support and advice.

But, the way he broke down in Lisbon, citing cramp, set alarm bells ringing.

So, while there is a window between qualifying for the Last 16 and the games taking place in mid-February, serious consideration should be given to sending him for surgery.

However, hearing Neil Lennon warn that even going under the knife comes with no guarantees the problem will be resolved is the biggest worry of all.