Stuart Kettlewell's injury comments last week makes Celtic display even more embarrassing

By David Walton

November 29, 2020

We would honestly love to write something positive about Celtic at the moment, but it feels as though the hierarchy are doing everything in their power to ensure that there are none.

And, in fact, when you look at today’s disgraceful 2-0 Betfred Cup exit against Ross County at Celtic Park, it’s actually even worse when you consider the pre-match comments from Stuart Kettlewell.

The County boss was full of concerns ahead of this one this afternoon. Not because of the fact that his side is miles inferior to Celtic on paper, but because they were absolutely ripped through with injury concerns.

Indeed, centre-back Tom Grivosti was sidelined for eight weeks after a knock picked up last weekend against Kilmarnock, but that was only the start of County’s injury worries for the week. Speaking to the Evening Express, here’s what Kettlewell said on Tuesday:

“We are probably sitting with eight or nine guys that are injured. We pick up three more at the weekend on top of five or six who were missing on Saturday.

“One is definitely out and the other two are touch and go. Tom Grivosti is definitely out, we are looking at a tear of his hamstring, so that looks as if it could be maybe six to eight weeks, which I am gutted about.

“The other two were heavy knocks. Jordan Tillson came off and Regan Charles-Cook was limping pretty badly after the game, and still is.”

County were certainly weakened today

Injured veterans for the Staggies were missing today in the shape of Ross Draper, and Carl Tremarco to name a couple. Michael Gardyne and Billy McKay were only fit enough to start on the bench, whilst Reagan Charles-Cooke didn’t return from injury.

That’s not even mentioning the fact that County were further depleted by Charlie Lackin coming off injured early on. They were absolutely riddled with injury problems, and that makes today’s shambles even more embarrassing.

Compare that to our own injury problems. Who were we missing today? James Forrest is still out and Jeremie Frimpong was suspended. So what? Hardly an extensive list, and if that’s enough to whack us off our game then the idea that we have major strength in depth is nothing but total nonsense.

Stuart Kettlewell’s County deservedly won at Celtic Park (Photo by Alan Harvey/SNS Group via Getty Images)

It’s getting extremely frustrating watching Celtic slip up to teams who have been stricken with knocks. Let’s not forget that Sparta Prague had plenty of injuries when we played them on both occasions too.

That all adds up to something even more concerning from a supporters’ perspective. We should be sweeping aside these teams’ A sides nevermind their reserves. Is this a managerial issue or is it something attitude-based? That’s a question only Neil Lennon can answer.

But we simply can’t see this continue much longer. It’s decimated our European campaign and seen us knocked out of the Betfred Cup at the first stage. If there isn’t immediate action anytime soon then it’s going to kill off our Premiership chances too.

In other news, the Celtic fans believe they’ve found a hint from Neil Lennon about his long-term future.