With so much of the focus on the young guns who shot Celtic to Europa League success against Lille on Thursday night, not many have been discussing the players who missed out.
One of those was enforced in Ryan Christie. The Celtic attacker was suspended after picking up several bookings in the group stage and accumulating a one-match ban. In his place was the electric David Turnbull.
Turnbull managed to bag the winner against the Ligue 1 heavyweights as well as secure an assist for the opener. He also had a hand in the penalty won by Jeremie Frimpong that had Celtic 2-1 ahead in the first half.
It was, as well know by now, an absolutely 10/10 performance from the former Motherwell man, who had only been given one start all season up until that stage.
However, it’s arguable that only due to Christie’s suspension did a spot open up for Turnbull. And now that Ryan is back available, Lennon now has a real Christie vs Turnbull debate on his hands.
Only, it shouldn’t really be a difficult one to answer. Christie may have 14 goals/assists in 23 appearances this season, but his overall displays have been extremely poor over the last two months.
Christie not making a level of impact that commands a place
A combination of pot-shots from range combined with extremely poor delivery from the wide areas has been an unwanted fixture of Christie’s game stretching all the way back to October’s 2-0 defeat to Rangers.
Ahead of Celtic’s home clash with Kilmarnock today, the Hoops need that extra vibrancy that Turnbull brings to help build some momentum ahead of next weekend’s Scottish Cup final vs Hearts. You can’t just drop a player who’s directly contributed to three goals just because a recent underperformer is back.
Christie will get his chance to impress in this Celtic team again. That much is certain. But if there’s one player you can see Lennon defying supporters’ wishes to remain dropped, it’s Ryan. And that’s something the manager simply has to avoid as he looks to keep the pace with the supporters from here on in.
This isn’t to say that Christie should be out of the squad. A spot on the bench should open up to him now – Turnbull’s old spot. Only when Turnbull deserves to lose his spot should he lose it. It doesn’t send anywhere near the right message to David and the rest of the squad if Christie just waltzes back into the team unchallenged.
Lennon’s strength is going to be tested this afternoon. Just how many of his favourites is he going to keep benched? Regardless of Christie’s return, he undoubtedly HAS to be one of them.
And it’s not even a difficult decision.
In other news, Lennon has confirmed exciting news about the development team and Mikey Johnston for tomorrow.
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