Scott Brown insists he will be fit in time for Celtic's first Champions League qualifier despite undergoing minor ankle surgery on Monday.

The Scotland midfielder, 23, had to cancel a holiday in Dubai to have an operation on the injury that hampered him throughout the final weeks of last season.

"It seems some people want to do a bit of scaremongering but the medical staff are confident I'll be ready to play in the qualifiers," he told the Daily Record.

One report claimed that Brown was in serious danger of missing the first qualifying round at the end of July.

But Brown is confident of helping new boss Tony Mowbray get his reign at Celtic off to a flying start.

He added: "I had the operation on Monday night and although it feels pretty sore right now I've been told I'll be back training next week and I should be able to sprint again in a little less than four weeks from now.

"I'm a fit lad anyway so I see no reason why I should miss the start of the season. "It wasn't a major operation - just keyhole stuff, nothing much more than a clear-up. "I was in a bit of pain at the end of the season and I needed injections to play the last few games.

"I suppose that hasn't really helped me in the long run because I've had to go under the knife.

"But I'm desperate to play my part in these qualifiers and to help the manager get off to the best possible start."