Scott Brown (left) has not been told he can leave Celtic, according to Mowbray

Manager Tony Mowbray said Celtic had to "take a stand" following newspaper speculation that midfielder Scott Brown had been told he can leave the club.

Celtic revealed earlier this week they were taking legal advice over a report that Brown has no future at Parkhead.

"I don't like it when I see things printed that never happened," said the Celtic manager on Friday.

"Was there a meeting telling him he could go at Christmas time? Never, total mistruth that was quoted."

In a statement on their website, Celtic say Wednesday's Daily Record story is "erroneous" and "without foundation".

It was reported that Brown and Mowbray held a meeting late last year at which the midfielder was told the club would try to sell him.

But Brown and Mowbray have since been quoted by Celtic denying those claims.

You push me into a corner and write something that just didn't happen; sometimes you've got to make a stand Celtic manager Tony Mowbray

And speaking on Friday, the Celtic manager said: "The daft thing about is that there are so many grey areas.

"I talk to my players every day; that's what my job is - to talk to footballers.

"The bottom line is I'm a man of integrity and honesty. My whole life is about the way I live it and I understand the vagaries of journalism.

"You push me into a corner and write something that just didn't happen; sometimes you've got to make a stand."

Brown has not played since October because of an ankle injury but has resumed training.

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The Scotland midfielder played under Mowbray at Hibernian before moving to Celtic for £4.4m in the summer of 2007.

Brown underwent ankle surgery last June but had to have a second operation in November after struggling to regain full fitness.

Meanwhile, Mowbray would not be drawn on speculation linking Celtic with a £1m move for Brondby striker Morten Rasmussen.

"I don't want to sit and discuss any players because you move from one to the next to the next," said Mowbray.

"So let's move and we will wait and see."

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