According to the reports from Daily Record, Celtic’s backup striker Vakoun Issouf Bayo has suffered an injury which could see him miss six weeks of action. With the busiest period of the season set to arrive, that is definitely going to be a massive blow for Neil Lennon as he currently has Odsonne Edouard as the only fit striker available at his disposal.
The French u-21 international has been playing consistently for the Hoops without any rest. The Premiership table is also tight, so one cannot blame Lennon for deploying his best striker in every game. But now with injuries to Griffith and Bayo, he is really short on options upfront.
Lennon reveals his plan on how he will cope without Edouard
The manager admitted recently that the Bhoys would look at other striking options in the summer. He also indicated how he will deal from now until then if Edouard gets injured. The Northern Irish manager said (The Scottish Sun), ”You don’t want to lose Odsonne for any games because he is so pivotal to the way we play. We’d have to manage it if that eventuality comes around. If it is the case, hopefully, Bayo, Griffiths and a couple of others could slot in there.
”Mikey can do it, Ryan Christie can do it. There’s flexibility about them. We need to get Griff back in and around it to give us more depth and support. The sooner he gets fit, the better.”
Griffiths’ availability still a concern.
Griffiths is yet to resume full training, and he hasn’t been the same since the turn of the year. The experienced striker took some time off in December last year until the end of 2018-19 season due to personal and mental health-related issues. The striker featured this season in the Champions League qualifiers, but he was nowhere near his best, and he soon suffered an injury which has now kept him out for months.
Michael Johnston has played up top before, but even he is currently out with an injury. It is yet not clear when he would be completely fit and available. Ryan Christie is another person whose name Lennon has taken. The midfielder has played in central midfield, as a no. 10 and on the left flank before but leading the line will be something new for him.
Who else can Lennon consider?
Christie will be quite similar to what Johnston provides as he will be a mobile option who can run the channels in the attacking third. Another name we would like to add is Tom Rogic who can lead the line. He might not be as mobile or quick as Christie or Johnston, but he could play probably better with the back to his goal, and his link-up play is often exemplary.
