Scott Brown believes that he and midfield partner Stuart Armstrong are the perfect partnership, as Brown can do the dirty work for Armstrong on the field, while his teammate – who is studying for a law degree – can help him out of scrapes away from football.

The Celtic captain joked that himself and Armstrong are like chalk and cheese away from the pitch, but he believes that they are starting to develop a wonderful understanding in the middle of the park.

With Tom Rogic added to the mix, Brown says that the Hoops engine room is well-equipped to deal with the daunting challenge posed by Manchester City this evening at the Etihad.

Armstrong in particular though has been a revelation this season under Brendan Rodgers, and Brown was fulsome in his praise of his teammate. When asked about their differences though, he quipped: “Aye, he reads and I canny! I’ve been in trouble too so he can bail me out! It’s a good sidekick to have.

“He’s one of the first names on the teamsheet and he’s scoring goals every week, it’s great for us having him and Tom Rogic pushing on from midfield and scoring goals and I get to do all their dirty work which is lovely.

“They work back as well though, the gaffer wants eleven men to work and we all do.

“Sometimes people get caught out of position and the good thing about the three of us is that we work hard for each other and we can all push on or sit when required. We’ve got a good little trio going in there.

“[Stuart]’s been fantastic. His running ability is just unbelievable. He’s doing my running for me and it’s about time someone done it!

“It’s great to have Stuart and especially for Scotland as well to have a Scottish player coming through and doing well at the highest level.

“He’s been great in the Champions League and he’s been great in the Premiership, and hopefully it will be the same tomorrow night.

“He seems to be getting better and better and I’m sure he’s got a nice little collection of champagne to show for it as well.”

Armstrong’s performances of late have been all the more impressive when you consider that he looked to be on his way out of the club not so long ago.

Pushed into wide areas by Rodgers’ predecessor Ronny Deila, his Hoops career seemed destined to be going nowhere.

Brown believes that he is due huge credit for the way he has seized his chance since moving into the middle of the park for the majority of this season.

“The gaffer said that everyone was going to get a chance,” he said. “Sometimes you’ve got to bide your time and Stuart has done that and been unbelievable when he’s got his chance.

“When you come to Celtic and there are people like Stefan Johansen playing in front of you it’s hard to shift them from that jersey, so he had to take his chance wherever he got it.

“Last year it was out on the left or out on the right or wherever, and now I think he’s shown that he’s a number 10 or a number 8.

“He can get on the ball, drive forward and score goals but he can also do the dirty work going back as well.

“He was outstanding at the weekend, up the park one minute and then sliding in to win the ball at the back the other minute, and he’s brought composure to his game. He looks like the full package at the minute.”

Brown is determined meanwhile to make the most of Celtic’s Champions League swansong for this season at the Etihad Stadium tonight.

He believes that the experience gained by the Celtic squad this season can stand them in good stead to go further in the competition in the future.

“It has been a hard group and we have played against some wonderful players,” he said.

“I think all the way through the group we have got better and better after the first game.

“Early doors against Manchester City, especially after we got beaten 7-0 by Barca, they thought it was going to be nice and easy for them but at Celtic Park we turned up.

“We pressed them high and forced them back and forced them to make mistakes and scored a couple of goals. It was great. Playing against top quality players and making chances like that, it was brilliant for everyone.

“This was a learning curve this season - new manager, a lot of new players coming in as well - next season we need to hopefully be back in this place again, the Champions League, hopefully pushing for a place in the last 16.”