Celtic's Scott Brown has made the decision to delay an operation on his hip so he can play the final Champions League group stage game next month.
The Hoops captain has been battling a degenerative problem this season which could have forced him to the surgery room but he has opted to put that side for now as he looks to guide the team to the knockout phase of Europe's club competition.
Celtic host Spartak Moscow in Group G on December 5 and need to better what Benfica do against Barcelona at the Nou Camp in order to move to the Round of 16.
"I feel not too bad just now and hopefully that continues," Brown said.
"The aim just now is to play against Spartak and we will see how it goes.
"I will just need to calm down on the training pitch and hopefully play as much as I can in the games without any pain.
"After I get the operation I should be fine.
"However long I play - and whatever operation I get - I will still be out for the same time.
"If I can prolong playing until we see what happens in the Champions League hopefully it will help me and help the club as well.
"But the decision was fully mine.
"The gaffer asked if I wanted to go for the surgery but I said I would rather prolong it and try to play in the Spartak game. He was delighted about that."
