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Celtic put on bounce match to give injured trio a chance to prove fitness

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Neil Lennon has arranged a bounce match to give his injured midfield trio a chance to prove their fitness ahead of next week’s Glasgow derby.

Tom Rogic and Olivier Ntcham are set to return to the fold ahead of the clash against Rangers. Ryan Christie’s chances may be less optimistic.

However, Lennon has arranged the bounce match to give all three a chance to be ready for the derby.

Rogic has been a thorn in Rangers’s side recently. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Speaking to CelticTV, Lennon spoke positively about Rogic and Ntcham’s chances of making next week.

“We’ve got a bounce game on Friday, hopefully, behind closed doors,” he said.

“The players can get some minutes into their legs.

“And then hopefully they will be declared fit for the game in a couple of weeks.”

The interim boss confirmed that the game against Rangers may be a stretch too far for Christie.

Celtic have missed Ntcham’s class in the middle of the park. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The opponents for the bounce match are unconfirmed. The match will take place on Friday behind closed doors.

Despite the mystery of the match, Celtic fans will be encouraged that their star man Rogic is nearing full fitness.

Rogic scored each time he faced Rangers last season. He has been their star man during the big occasion.

And in September, it was he who started the break which led to Ntcham’s winning goal.

The Aussie midfielder was a huge miss in December at Ibrox. Ntcham and Christie put in sub-par performances in the 1-0 defeat.

Rogic’s return will be a huge boost to Celtic fans. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The returning Rogic

Celtic have been without Rogic’s services since the Boxing Day fixture at Aberdeen.

He departed for Australia duty shortly after, controversially missing the derby.

After a disappointing Asian Cup performance, Rogic returned needing surgery.

His return ahead of next Sunday would not only be a huge boost to Celtic. It would strike fear into the heart of the opposition too.