The injury sustained by Celtic midfielder Ryan Christie against Salzburg on Thursday isn’t as bad as initially feared, according to manager Brendan Rodgers.
Christie collided with opposition forward Takumi Minamino in the second half of the UEFA Europa League clash, requiring a stretcher to leave the field and prompting fears he may have suffered a broken leg or suffered ligament damage.
However, Rodgers has revealed he could make it back to action before the upcoming winter break.
As quoted by The Daily Record, the Celtic boss said: “Hopefully (Christie will be back before the winter break). It’s not as bad we first thought. The scan gave us good news after the game and he’s now full weight bearing. You never know for midweek or next weekend.”
That’s fantastic news, especially since our midfield looked unable to assert themselves on Hibs at Easter Road this afternoon. Christie adds a real pace and vibrancy to our forward game that the likes of Olivier Ntcham and Scott Brown just can’t match.
Given he no longer requires crutches, the hope will be that Christie returns to training at Lennoxtown quickly and again puts himself into contention for a starting spot.
The suggestion from Rodgers he might even make the match midweek or next weekend is incredibly encouraging.