Neil Lennon thinks Ryan Christie is best when playing central

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Neil Lennon has hinted that he’s learned his lesson from a clash earlier on this season when he moved Ryan Christie out to the left-wing.

The Northern Irishman made the change for the 1-1 draw against Hibernian in late-September. Many Hoops fans feel the move was mainly to accommodate Olivier Ntcham in a central role – after the Frenchman netted a double against Partick Thistle the prior midweek.

Lennon has previous for trying to fit Ntcham in, and admitted doing so after the Champions League defeat to Cluj in August.

“I just wanted to get Ntcham into the team. The more technicians in the team, the better,” he told BBC Sportsound. (13/08/2019)

Despite scoring at Easter Road, Christie struggled to impact the clash in his normal way and has been used in a central role ever since. And that’s where Lennon thinks he’s best utilised.

“I think he’s better in a central position, coming off the striker or playing just off the midfield,” he told press on Friday. (Celtic YouTube channel, 9 mins)

“He’s such a good player, he makes that position look quite comfortable. I can understand why Steve (Clarke) went with him and Jamesy as the inverted wingers. He scored a great goal in Cyprus and he’s capable of that as well.

“He’s been in outstanding form this season and he’s a player who will get a lot of confidence from how he’s played for Scotland.”

Lennon is unlikely to shunt Christie out to the wing again

Christie spoke about being asked to cut in on his left while playing for Scotland in an interview earlier in the week. Steve Clarke had him playing on the right in both of the national team’s recent matches but it is encouraging to hear Lennon adamant that that’s not his best position.

Christie is at his best when he’s influencing the game, and he does that most effectively from the centre. The former Aberdeen man is best known for his goalscoring exploits but he also offers us so much in a defensive sense – especially on the European stage.

Given Ntcham’s recent form, you wonder if Lennon may be tempted to get the Frenchman back in his starting side. There’s an argument that the 23-year-old is too good to leave out, but so are the rest of the Celtic midfield.

But if Ntcham is to see some extended game time in the coming weeks, it is unlikely that Christie will be shunted out to the wing.