‘I’m desperate to play under Neil Lennon,’ Christie targets semi-final return

RYAN CHRISTIE as Neil Lennon has suggested, will miss the Rangers game on Sunday. The midfielder today confirmed that he’s a few weeks away from making his return since suffering a hamstring injury last month against Motherwell, in what was Brendan Rodgers’ last match in charge of Celtic.

A realistic target for Christie to return to action would be the Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen on Sunday 14 April at Hampden.

“Obviously it’s always frustrating getting injured,” Christie told Celtic TV today.

“When you finally overcome the first part and manage to get yourself back out and start running again, it’s always nice.

“Hopefully I can start trying to get back into a rhythm again and hopefully join training in the next couple of weeks and then really kick on.”

Christie also gave his views on how he’s got on with new manager Neil Lennon who took over from Rodgers just as the midfielder dropped out of the team with his hamstring injury.

“He’s been brilliant,” said Christie. “I think all the boys have agreed with that since he’s come in. He’s just been brilliant for me so far.

“As soon as he came in the door within a couple of days he pulled me aside just to have a chat with me and get to know me a bit and likewise me with him.

“So that was nice and now I’m desperate to get my first taste of playing under him.”

While Lennon will be without Christie this weekend, there’s more positive news surrounding two other midfielders who are likely to be ready for selection. Both Tom Rogic and Olivier Ntcham, who have enjoyed not inconsiderable successes against the Ibrox outfit, are back in training and could feature.

For Christie though it means another game watching from the sidelines, which is what he has had to do in all four matches that Lenny has led.

“The first game I watched was Hibs away in the Scottish Cup and I was back in Inverness watching it,” he joked.

“I found myself kind of screaming at the telly and when Jamesy scored the worldie I was nearly knee sliding on my living room carpet!

“You forget how much you get involved in the game.”

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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