Celtic captain Scott Brown is expected to make a call on his future this week with Western Melbourne still optimistic of landing the midfielder.

The 33-year-old is wanted by the A-League newcomers as their marquee signing for the beginning of their inaugural season which begins in October this year.

Brown has been offered a deal that would close his 11-year career at Celtic but the Australians formally met the player to offer their contract the week before the Parkhead side headed out to their warm weather training camp in Dubai.

It is believed there was a hitch in the deal with Western Melbourne not assured of the funding required to secure the three-year contract for Brown, although they remain determined to get the player out to Australia.

Brown has had a few weeks to mull over the offer although it is believed that he has not yet spoken to Celtic with regards to what he plans to do at the end of the season.

Western Melbourne chief Maurice Bisetto, one of three backers behind their consortium, said: “We are pretty close with some players including a marquee. We think Scott Brown has a lot of positives and could make a significant contribution to a new club…as a leader on and off the field.

“We are looking at a pre-season starting in June so we need to get moving.

“There’s no doubt we could go for a bigger name, and that might get eyeballs and put bums on seats initially. But we are really focused on results and performance and the style of football we want to play.”

Celtic, meanwhile, are celebrating making the top ten of European football’s attendance league.

The Hoops came ninth in the Uefa-commissioned report based on season 2017/18, with Rangers ten places back in 19th.

The Scottish champions boast an aggregate attendance of 1,092,937 and an average of 57,523 while the Light Blues racked up 49,174 and 934,306.

They are also one of only 15 clubs with an aggregate crowd of over one million fans for home league matches.

Manchester United topped the list followed by Borussia Dortmund, Spurs, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal and Inter Milan.

Meanwhile, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has told the club television channel that the club remain in constant contact with Leigh Griffiths. The Celtic striker was given time out to deal with mental health issues and no time frame has been placed upon his return.

The player has resumed some form of light training and remains under the guidance of the club medical team.

“The club are working very closely with him, he’s working very hard, and he’s making good progress," said Rodgers.

“He’s training and he’s working which is important for his health as well.”