Scott Brown expects Callum McGregor to give Celtic a boost this week as the midfielder prepares for his first-team return.

The midfielder should feature at some point against Dundee at Dens Park on Sunday afternoon. McGregor has been out of action since picking up a knock against Valencia in the second leg of Celtic Europa League tie against the Spaniards almost three weeks ago.

And Brown believes that McGregor’s energy and creativity gives Celtic a different dimension.

“I think any player would miss having Callum in there,” he said. “He has been exceptional for us over the last two or three seasons.

“His work rate is phenomenal and he just gives us so much in terms of being able to pick out a pass or score a few goals himself. He is a quality player and getting him back into the team should give everyone a bit of a lift.”

McGregor is expected to be fit for Scotland’s two European qualifiers against Kazakhstan and San Marino later this month, games which should enable him to hone his match fitness before returning for the game against Rangers at Celtic Park at the end of March.

“The international break is good for me to get a wee break but for the likes of Callum who have missed games lately then it is a chance to go and get up to speed which helps everyone.

“Every game is important for us now.

“We were disappointed to drop points against Aberdeen on Saturday but we have had a good run at it and it is about making sure that we dust ourselves down and get ready to go again.”

And Brown has also praised Lennon for making the disruption from Brendan Rodger’s swift exit as seamless as it could have been.

“He has been great,” he said. “It wasn’t easy for him either being thrown into the situation like that.

“But I think he has done fantastically well. He wants us to keep the same philosophy that we had under Brendan and they are two attacking coaches.

“It was disappointing that we never found our fluency at any point against Aberdeen but I don’t think we can dwell too much on it.”

Celtic remains eight points clear at the top of the table after Rangers were held to a draw at Easter Road on Friday night and for Brown it is about focus as Celtic head into the season finale.

“People can look at the table and think it is done but for us there is no way we ever look at it like that,” said the Celtic captain. “We take it game by game and look to win every game that we play in.

“There is a lot of football to be played still so there is no way that we will let our guard down now.”