Former Celtic favourite and BT Sport pundit Chris Sutton believes Brendan Rodgers will put Scott Brown straight back into his starting eleven when he returns from injury.
The need for Brown to be an automatic pick in the first-team has been a talking point in recent weeks after the side flourished in his absence.
Players like Callum McGregor, Ryan Christie and James Forrest have all stepped up to the plate, showing leadership and a determination to win in midfield.
Sutton recognises their impact but believes Brown will add to the recent good form, rather than detract from it.
Writing in his Daily Record column, the former Hoops striker said:
Scott Brown has been the leader and the driving force behind back-to-back Trebles at Celtic.
And while it has been a huge bonus to Brendan Rodgers and the supporters to see the way the midfield has evolved during his injury absence, you’d be off your head to send him to the knackers yard.
It’s crazy to think he’s not going to be No.1 influence in the Celtic side as soon as he’s fit enough to get going again.
Two or three good results and performances don’t change that fact. Can you imagine a Celtic lined up being named and Brown sat there on the bench at kick-off after being named as a sub? No? Me neither.
Brown is likely to be ready for action shortly after the international break, with Rodgers revealing he was close to a return prior to the two week break in fixtures.
Whether he is fit enough for the trip to Hamilton this weekend remains to be seen.
After that fixture there are huge matches against Rosenborg and Aberdeen, with Brown’s influence likely to be a major boost to the team given what is at stake in both.
Do you think Scott Brown will come straight back into the Celtic side? Should he? Have your say in the comments below…