Celtic suffer Scott Brown injury blow

Celtic skipper Scott Brown could be out for up to three months with a knee injury, boss Ronny Deila has confirmed.

The Hoops skipper will miss the crucial Europa League Group A clash with Ajax at Parkhead on Thursday night after damaging ligaments in the goalless draw against Kilmarnock on Saturday.

Deila said: "Scott Brown is out for a while, he is not available. We don't know for sure yet but I heard it's eight to 12 weeks.''

Brown, who had a scan on Monday, only returned at the weekend after missing four games with a knee injury, but Deila confirmed he had suffered a different complaint.

The Norwegian said: "It is nothing to do with the previous one.

"It was very unfortunate in a challenge near the end of the game. He twisted it and got an injury on the outside ligament.

"We hope that (operation) is not necessary, we are waiting for the experts to look at the pictures so we can be even more sure what to do, if it is going to be an operation or not.

"It is always tough to lose your captain, but having said that we have done that before and the last period he was out we won a lot of games.

"It gives other players more responsibility. We have good players who can fill those roles.''

Kris Commons is also still out with a combination of a muscle injury and illness, while fellow midfielders Nir Bitton and Stefan Johansen are suspended.

Charlie Mulgrew is in contention, however, after recovering from a thigh injury picked up against Aberdeen on September 12.

Deila said: "Kris has been a little bit sick, but he had the injury after the Molde game.

"He has been out for three weeks. He trained today but was not feeling at his best.''