Celtic captain Stephen McManus travelled to Lisbon for the Champions League clash with Benfica despite being carried off on a stretcher with an oxygen mask during Saturday's Old Firm game.

The central defender was knocked unconscious after a clash of heads with Rangers striker Daniel Cousin and taken to hospital.

McManus had stitches in a head wound the previous Saturday after another clash of heads in Scotland's victory over Ukraine.

But he checked in with the Celtic squad at Glasgow Airport this morning as they made their way to Portugal for Wednesday night's encounter.

Celtic first-team coach Tommy Burns said: "Thank God he has recovered very well and he has travelled."

And Burns revealed the coaching staff and McManus were hopeful the 25-year-old will lead his team-mates out at the Estadio da Luz.

"I think we have got to remember that Stephen is still a young man, and he is a young man in football terms also," Burns said.

"It's only the last couple of seasons that he has got in the first team and he has done exceptionally well.

"But he is a big figurehead to the club now so we are hopeful he can go and lead the boys on Wednesday night.

"It's entirely down to himself and the doctor at this moment in time."

Steven Pressley made the journey after not playing for the first team this season following back surgery, and Burns confirmed the defender could be in line for an appearance "if necessary".

And out-of-favour centre-half Bobo Balde checked in with Gordon Strachan's squad.  Midfielder Paul Hartley and striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink also travelled after missing the 3-0 defeat at Ibrox with hamstring problems.