Celtic star scare stories had boss in a panic

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The Scotland boss was in the Catalan capital for the Rangers game the following night and didn't watch live coverage of Celtic against Benfica.

Immediate concern: a stricken Brown lies on the ground as Binya is shown the red card

So when reports and misinformation filtered through about Augustin Binya's disgraceful tackle on Brown, McLeish briefly wondered if the £4.5million midfielder had suffered a broken leg.

"There were rumours flying all over the place," said McLeish yesterday. "At the time, I did not see live coverage from Celtic Park. It was one hell of a tackle and I think if it had come in on the other side of his knee then we might have been looking at a different story.

"I had a text message from my son saying there had been a 'scandalous' tackle on Brown and that the guy had rightly been sent off. I immediately asked him if Scott had been carried off, but I soon heard back that he had carried on playing. I was still anxious on Wednesday and made some calls, but was reassured.

"Scott has been versatile for Celtic and Scotland and has become an integral player for the national side. He's played central midfield, on the right and off the front player, as he did for Gordon Strachan against Milan."

Binya, meanwhile, has revealed he will telephone Brown to apologise for his horror tackle.

"It was a 50-50 ball and I went with all my strength to win it. After seeing it on television, I am sorry for the tackle, the red card and also for losing the game.

"I was looking for Scott Brown at the end of the game because I wanted to apologise, but I did not succeed. I will try to speak with him by phone.

"But I also want to take this opportunity to publicly apologise to him. I am a player who never gives up on a challenge, but I am not a dirty player."

UEFA have already confirmed they will investigate the red card and club officials fear Binya could face a five-game ban.

Brown will will now enjoy a well-earned break this weekend, thanks to the SPL.

McLeish pushed hard for the Old Firm's league matches to be postponed and there were a few signs in the Nou Camp that the Rangers quartet of Alan Hutton, David Weir, Barry Ferguson and Lee McCulloch were suffering fatigue.

"It is a first that the league games have been postponed," said McLeish. "It is up to us now, as we have had that help. Having spoken to the Old Firm players, they are really pleased to be given the chance to recharge the batteries before this huge game."