Scott Brown in the crossfire as the Daily Record stand by their story.

The Daily Record have challenged Celtic by standing by their story that the Scott Brown has been told he could be sold this month.

Celtic took the unusual step yesterday of officially denying the story on the club website with quotes from the player and Tony Mowbray.

The club statement also hinted at possible legal action over the story.

Despite that threat the Record are standing by their story and refusing to back down.

They claim today: “SCOTT Brown continued to insist yesterday that he was told he can leave Celtic.

“The SPL club went public to deny Record Sport’s story that revealed Tony Mowbray informed the midfield player he could be sold during the January transfer window.

“But information given to us made it clear Brown believes his days at Celtic Park are numbered.

“We stand by that information and our source, who is well known to Celtic.

“Yet, on the Parkhead club’s official website yesterday they branded our story as “erroneous and without foundation.”

“The truth is that before printing the story it was read out to Brown. And there is no question, no doubt at all, Record Sport’s piece was endorsed by him and his reaction included.

“He knows we reported accurately a story which has been the talk of his Celtic team-mates at their Lennoxtown base.

“In fact, even yesterday afternoon Brown was still adamant he’d been told he could leave.

“Someone has been economical with the truth, but Record Sport’s conscience is clear. It’s now a matter for Brown and Celtic.”

The Record’s position is quite clear, they haven’t backed down in any way and have added further details to the originial story although there are no direct quotes from Brown today.

I wouldn’t expect any further comment from Celtic on the matter but the club statement has clearly been ridiculed by the Record.

Both side’s will be able to justify their position regardless of whether Brown stays or goes. A transfer this month seems highly unlikely but a future transfer could be traced back to this incident.

Meantime the Record’s rivals at The Sun report that Kris Boyd has held signing talks with Aston Villa and was a guest at the club for last night’s Carling Cup semi-final win over Blackburn Rovers.

Former Rangers boss Alex McLeish is also said to be keen to take Boyd to Birmingham City.