Ryan Christie looks all but certain to miss Celtic vs Rangers clash

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Ryan Christie’s return to first-team action now looks set to be after next Sunday’s Rangers clash.

The former Inverness star was all but ruled out by interim Celtic boss Neil Lennon last week. 

Any hopes of a swift recovery, however, have been put to bed. That’s because Christie wasn’t anywhere near the bounce-game against Morton on Friday. The attacker is still sidelined with a hamstring injury, and has yet to feature under Lennon.

If Christie was to have any chance of a return, you have to imagine he would’ve been involved against Morton. Lennon did state last week that Christie was set to miss out next week. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like there’s been any improvement in that recovery date.

Celtic could certainly do with Christie’s energy in the engine room against Rangers too. He was making a good impact this side of the winter break before his injury. Since returning in January, Christie has featured in 11 matches and nabbed three goals.

Fortunately, Olivier Ntcham did play in the bounce game, and adds some depth to the midfield regardless. He joins Callum McGregor and Scott Brown in being fit for Sunday.

Question marks over Tom Rogic?

Question marks also remain over Australian maverick Tom Rogic. He hasn’t featured since going away with Australia back in December. He also didn’t play in the bounce game on Friday either.

Losing the likes of Rogic and Christie for Rangers would be a blow, but Celtic’s XI looks strong regardless. Brown and McGregor would be likely to start in the midfield. The number 10 position, however, is surely up for grabs.

Nobody has claimed that spot since Rogic’s injury. Christie would be the natural replacement, but that hardly looks likely either.

Odsonne Edouard has had a failed experiment as a number 10, whilst James Forrest blows hot and cold in that position.

Nir Bitton was another one to have been struck with injury recently. He had to withdraw from the Israel squad after missing the Celtic squad that beat Dundee at Dens Park two weeks ago.

It’ll be interesting to see what Lennon goes for next Sunday. There are likely to be more injury boosts and blows between now and then, however. Here’s hoping we can name a strong and confident XI regardless.