IT'S an ill wind which blows nobody any good. And injuries which have blasted through the Celtic camp ahead of tomorrow's Champions League tie in Manchester have at least stopped everyone focusing on the Parkhead club's shocking away record.

That's fine by Scott Brown who reckons they showed with their performance in Villarreal last month that Gordon Strachan's side has what it takes to improve on that damning statistic of one point from a possible 48 in group games.

The midfielder, who opened the scoring in the 2-1 win at Inverness on Saturday, said: "We know what the away record is like, but it hasn't been mentioned in the dressing room.

"We'll go to Man-chester and give it everything we've got. If we can get a point or three points, we will be delighted."

Others would be shocked, given the depleted squad which headed south today. But the Brown exemplifies the fighting spirit with the group and refuses to be downbeat about the task facing them.

He said: "We faced the same test last year when we played AC Milan away. We were unlucky there and managed to beat them at home, so I hope we can take something from that."

His eyes light up at the mention of playing at Old Trafford, where he will be indirect opposition to his Scotland sparring partner, Darren Fletcher.

The Theatre of Dreams can realise a few ambitions for Brown who said: "I've never even been to watch a match down there. It's the kind of place you dream about stepping out in.

"You look at the park and the stadium and just think it's phenomenal. I've played at the Nou Camp and we were unlucky there.

"It's an exciting thing to play in these famous grounds. Being honest, simply being picked to play every week still gives me a thrill."