Steady Eddie, Celtic’s Risky Business – Bayo Blow, Griffiths Not Quite Ready

IT looks like Vakoun Bayo’s bad luck with injury has returned. Neil Lennon announced today that the striker was injured and is unlikely to be involved on Wednesday at home to St Mirren.

Lenny said at today’s Media Conference (watch below): “He took a knock yesterday so he is a major doubt for tomorrow. So we are a little bit short there with only one at the minute, who is fully fit.

“Bayo is going for a scan today and we are hoping he should be okay for the weekend.”

This news would be more worrying had Lennon not advised there is also some positive news to soften the blow of Bayo’s absence. Leigh Griffiths is back in training and could be in contention for a first team slot.

At the beginning of October Griffiths had been floored with a thigh injury and a virus. Unfortunate timing indeed, he’d returned from his spell away from action very well and seemed to be ready to kick on.

Much like Bayo’s injury the timing had been cruel on Griffiths. He hasn’t played since Celtic’s 3-1 win against Hearts, getting him back in action might just be a blessing to Lennon and the first team squad. For midweek however we’ll only have Edouard to count on up front.

On Griffiths Lenny had this to say to the Media: “Leigh is back on the grass now. He has been doing some physical work with the fitness coaches and we hope he starts training again on Thursday.”

Though it must be said there is further good news that Jonathan Afolabi is also close to a return to action. Though the youngster signed following his contract expiry at English Premier League side Southampton hasn’t yet made his first team debut, if he’s back and fully fit before Bayo and Griffiths it could be that opportunity could knock for Afolabi.

Given he’s been talked of highly behind the scenes and stood out in development games, it could be the young Irishman might just take the chance.

Elsewhere Lenny also advised that Mikey Johnston is ready to return and could be back in contention by the end of this week and as such the Betfred Semi-final against Hibs could well see the winger’s return to the first team fold.

Good news then in midfield to counter the discouraging striker situation. We’ll have Ryan Christie coming back after his two game ban for his sending off at Livingston and Olivier Ntcham is also back in contention after rolling his ankle and missing Ross County, Lazio and Aberdeen games.

Apparently Christopher Jullien has recovered from the illness that forced the big centre half off the field at half-time against Pittodrie, so there is positive news in defence too.

On the counter to that Tom Rogic has some inflammation again around his knee. It’s the second time he’s had the issue post-match. Hopefully it isn’t too much to be concerned about as it’s good to see Rogic back in the team. He certainly deserves a bit more luck than he’s had of late.

The main concern looking ahead is the relative lack of cover in the striking department, with both Bayo and Griffiths being injury prone to say the least. Heaven help us is anything were to happen to Odsonne Edouard.

Watch Neil Lennon’s Media Conference from this afternoon below…

Niall J

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About Author

As a Bellshill Bhoy I was taken to my first Celtic game in the summer of 1987. It was Billy McNeill’s return to Celtic Park as manager and Celtic lost 5-1 to Arsenal . I thought I was a jinx, I think my Grandfather might have thought the same. It was the finest gift anyone ever gave me when he walked me through Parkhead's gates.

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