Artur Boruc boarded Celtic's charter flight to Russia yesterday, offering the Scottish champions a much-needed confidence boost ahead of a daunting Champions League qualifier against Spartak.
The Polish goalkeeper injured a shoulder during the club's pre-season friendly against Newcastle United at St James' Park and was replaced by the able Mark Brown for the first two games of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League season, against Kilmarnock and Falkirk.
Last night, Tommy Burns, the Celtic first-team coach, revealed a considerable improvement in Boruc's condition.
"We'll look at him over the next few days and see how it goes, but it's not as painful as it was so it's looking better," said Burns.
"He's a big personality, a big character and someone you'd ideally want in the team. Mark Brown has done well for us but I think in European games you're always looking for the experienced guys. If Brown's got to play it will be big experience and big stage for him and I'm sure he'll handle it OK."
Celtic prepared for the fourth generation artificial surface inside Spartak's Luzhniki Stadium by training at Harmony Row in Govan.
Burns also expressed the coaching staff's satisfaction that John Kennedy, who has only just returned to first-team football after more than two years of serious knee surgery, will be unencumbered by the pitch.
"John Kennedy will definitely be available," he said. "I don't see any reasons for question marks to be hanging over him. It's not even been mentioned to be honest."
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