SCOTT BROWN today declared himself fit to face Rangers after surviving a Scotland injury scare last night.

Celtic's combative midfielder was left lying in agony seconds before half time in the 1-1 draw with Croatia at Hampden.

Brown took a kick to the ribs from Croatia's Nico Kovac, for which the Red Bull Salzburg player was booked.

After getting treatment throughout the interval, Brown managed to make a surprise re-appearance for the second half before finally being replaced by Gary Teale after 65 minutes.

He was still sore when he reported to Celtic's Lennoxtown training centre this morning, but the 22-year-old - one of six players cautioned in the fiercely-fought friendly - has assured manager Gordon Strachan he will be available for Saturday.

Of the other Celts in action, Gary Caldwell was replaced after 69 minutes, while skipper Stephen McManus and Paul Hartley played the full 90 minutes.

Hartley revealed Strachan's only instructions were to "go and enjoy it", and there were no thoughts of a safety-first approach for any of the players.

Hartley hopes his 18th cap will have honed his game ahead of Ibrox, when he is expected to line up alongside Brown.

The man who is still looking for his first win over Rangers more than a year after joining from Hearts said: "You don't think about the next game. You just go out and do your best and try to win the match you are in.

"It was a tough game last night because we were playing against quality opposition.

"Croatia are one of the top nations, but we managed to play well at times after going a goal down. It doesn't matter if it's a friendly or not. You are playing against good players, and at times they like to mix it.

"There was a bit of an edge to the game, and a few tackles going in. You try and win the ball if it is there to be won.

"Scott took a knock to his ribs, but I think he will be okay."

Hartley was delighted George Burley's first game had a positive outcome and reckons it has helped maintain the momentum.

He said: "Croatia beat England twice, so it was a good start for the manager's first game.

"When a manager comes in he wants to bring his own ideas, playing a certain way in a certain formation.

"We did that and it went well. We lost an early goal, which was disappointing, but you have got to settle into a game like that.

"We had a lot of call offs and the players who came in did well."