Scott Brown praises 'great signings' as Celtic face up to challenging schedule

Scott Brown is heartened by the strength of Celtic's squad as he looks ahead to a challenging schedule.

Celtic's Scott Brown.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon claimed after Thursday's 1-1 draw with Rennes in France that his squad could be better than the group which secured the same result at the same venue eight years ago during his first spell in charge.

The likes of Leigh Griffiths, Tom Rogic and Olivier Ntcham are pushing to get back in the team and Brown feels there is plenty of competition as Celtic look to return to domestic action with a victory when they host Kilmarnock in the Ladbrokes Premiership on Sunday.

Asked whether the squad is as strong as it has been during his time at Celtic Park, the 34-year-old said: "It's definitely up there. We made some great signings in the last couple of days in the window.

"We have strengthened in positions the manager felt needed strengthened. We have a huge run-in until Christmas time until the next break for everyone.

"Everyone finds it hard after Europa League games to go again on Sunday but we have a huge squad and the manager will use it when he feels he needs to use it and we are looking forward to every single game.

"Kilmarnock have always been a hard team for us to play against and it's going to be no different on Sunday."

Brown was satisfied with Thursday's display and result as Celtic continued their unbeaten away record in Europe this season and their trend of scoring in every game they have played.

"It's about us maintaining our form which we have done since the defeat by Cluj," Brown said.

"We were very, very good the way we played and pressed. The manager wanted us to go away from home and get something and we have managed to do that and we were maybe a little bit unlucky we didn't get three points."

Cluj blew the group wide open by beating favourites Lazio and Celtic next have the opportunity to avenge their Champions League defeat when the Romanian champions return to Parkhead on October 3.

Brown said: "We have a huge game at home against Cluj. We know how dangerous they can be on the counter-attack.

"We didn't perform as well as we probably should have done against them and we now have time to put that right. We need to make sure we play a lot better.

"The group is tough, anyone can beat anyone. We have got to make sure we are on top form every single game.

"The point is a great confidence-builder but now we look to Sunday. We have a huge game against Kilmarnock and we need to make sure we continue on our winning way."