Celtic captain Scott Brown will see a specialist on Monday but insists he will not rush his comeback from injury.
The 25-year-old midfielder has been out of action since the start of October with a metatarsal problem. He is hoping to return soon but refused to put a definite date on any potential return. However, he did admit he was hoping to be involved in the Old Firm derby on January 2.
"Hopefully I'm not too far away," said Brown. "I'll go down to see a specialist on Monday and we will take it from there."
He added: "I'm still not too sure yet when I'll be back, I will need to wait and see what the specialist says. The main thing is that I need to take my time and make sure everything is perfect so that I can hopefully come back 100%."
Asked about the prospect of being involved in the New Year clash with Rangers, Brown responded with a tentative "hopefully".
Brown is well aware recent results have not gone Celtic's way, after slipping two points behind Clydesdale Bank Premier League leaders Rangers following back to back draws against Dundee United and Inverness.
But he backed his team-mates to turn around the Hoops' fortunes without him for the time being.
"I've got to take my time and make sure I come back right but the lads will bounce back," he said. "We've got a lot of character in the squad so I've no doubt they will bounce back."
Defender Daniel Majstorovic took responsibility for the draw with Inverness on Saturday but Brown believes there should be a collective responsibility within the squad.
He said: "It's the whole team. We went 2-0 up and then lost two slack goals but it doesn't happen a lot so I'm sure the lads will make things right next week."
Source: PA
