Celtic assistant manager John Kennedy has defended midfielder Ryan Christie on the day that the Scotland international finds out his disciplinary fate, The Daily Record report.
The Scottish FA will today rule on a notice of complaint issued in the wake of last week’s explosive derby at Celtic Park, with Christie accused of grabbing Alfredo Morelos’ genitals.
If a panel today upholds the complaint, Christie could be served a two-game ban.
However, Kennedy has put a bit of media pressure on the Hampden decision-makers this morning, vigorously defending Christie from the club’s training base in Dubai.
As quoted by The Daily Record, he said: “I find it very surprising. I would be astounded if he gets found guilty of it and they follow through with the charge.
“If that is the case then there will be numerous cases throughout the season where somebody grabs or accidentally touches somebody.
“I have seen these situations what they are trying to accuse him of before. If you are static in the box at a
corner kick and are marking somebody and you do a fly one. But to be involved in the game and somebody goes by you, to accuse him of trying to grab him by the genitals is crazy. Ryan is not that type of player for a start.”
Ban would be ridiculous
Footage does show Christie making contact with Morelos but it looks nowhere near malicious and simply like Christie is reaching out after missing out on challenging the 23-year-old striker.
It was a clear foul, but nothing more than that and nothing anywhere near justifying a two-game ban.
All eyes will be on Hampden now, waiting for the panel’s decision. Hopefully, common sense prevails and Christie is not handed a ban to go with the injury sustained during the match.
He had to undergo minor groin surgery following the fixture, with Kennedy confirming to The Record that the high-scoring midfielder is due back in a matter of weeks rather than months.
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