Brown Misses Return Flight

Celtic skipper Scott Brown did not return with the squad after Thursday night's 2-2 draw with Salzburg in Austria as he missed the returning plane to Glasgow due to a routine drugs test.

Published 19th Sep 2014

Photo by Jeff Holmes

Celtic skipper Scott Brown did not return with the squad after Thursday night's 2-2 draw with Salzburg in Austria as he missed the returning plane to Glasgow due to a routine drugs test. The Hoops midfielder scored his side's second goal in an enthralling Group D encounter and was picked for the obligatory drugs test after the game. Celtic had to leave on a designated 2255 flight which meant the Scotland midfielder had to stay behind for the night. Celtic expect him to return later on Friday ahead of Sunday's Premiership clash against Motherwell at Celtic Park. Brown's boss Ronny Deila was thrilled his side grabbed a share of the spoils in their Europa League encounter. Mubarak Wakaso scored 14 minutes into his Hoops debut but Brazilian striker Alan levelled 10 minutes from the break with a shot from the edge of the box which took a marked deflection off Efe Ambrose before looping over Gordon. On the hour mark Brown, playing only his second game of the season after recovering from a hamstring injury, sent in a drive from outside the box which hit Andre Ramalho and the ball spun into the net. "It was a good result, they are a good team and were difficult to play against, they played with high intensity and have very fit and quick players," Deila said. "I think we played much better as a team today. But It was important to get the point. Before the game we spoke about getting something from it. "We are lasting the distance better, over 90 minutes. We need to be quicker with passing but with the team spirit we have we will get points and I am satisfied with that. "But I think they deserved to get the goal in the end, they had some chances and we had a fantastic goalkeeper. Yes, we were 2-1 up but their free-kick was fantastic. "But I am pleased with the point and happy with the performance. "We are progressing but there is a lot of work to be ever better."