Brendan Rodgers may have just opened up on yet another injury scare – claiming that Ryan Christie’s ribs were sore after today’s win at St Johnstone.
The Hoops secured a huge success in Perth today. It was only the club’s fifth win away from home out of 12 domestic matches. Goals scored by James Forrest and Timothy Weah were enough to take Celtic six points clear at the top of the Premiership.
Unfortunately, however, the win came at a price. Injuries to Odsonne Edouard and Forrest put a dark cloud over the win to an extent. And Rodgers spoke to the BBC after the game regarding a third knock that occurred.
Christie was one of Celtic’s most hard-working players at McDiarmid, but Rodgers stated post-match that he’s picked up a knock.
“Ryan Christie has really sore ribs, he could hardly breath, but he kept fighting and kept running.”
Celtic’s midfield warrior
Christie has recently turned into an absolute warrior for Celtic over the last several months. He’s taken on some real responsibility since breaking into the side at the tail-end of last year.
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But today, it looks like a kick in the ribs from Jason Kerr of St Johnstone seemed to have done him in. It occurred in the same period of play that saw Edouard take a knock too. It’s not been confirmed, however, whether that was definitely what’s injured the Hoops attacker.
If Christie was to miss out, that would definitely be a blow. Rodgers’ options are getting stretched with Tom Rogic also injured for the next six weeks too.
Rodgers could perhaps give Oliver Burke the chance to play through the middle in behind a front-man. The on-loan West Brom star has proven to be a thorn for Scottish Premiership defences playing as a lone-striker. Therefore, having him in just behind Timothy Weah could be an interesting proposition.
But it remains to be seen if Christie’s ribs recover in time for the Hibs game first and foremost.