To suggest Celtic are in a spot of bother would be putting things lightly. Neil Lennon’s side are considerably off the pace and their fiercest rivals now need just seven points to win the title.
Whether or not Lennon is at the club next term remains to be seen but plans are reportedly being drawn up in the transfer market.
On the chalkboard
Like Lennon, Ryan Christie is a man under fire at Parkhead. The winger has had a torrid season and has scored just a solitary goal in his last 23 outings.
Considering he found the net on 20 occasions last term, that’s a terrible record for a player with so much potential in the final third.
The nadir of his season undoubtedly came in the 1-0 defeat to Ross County on Sunday evening. The Scotsman was woeful in front of goal and somehow managed to fire five shots off target. The worst came nine minutes before half time when he fired the ball over the bar and out of the stadium when given a chance from just yards out.
With that in mind, could the winger be one of a number of players to leave in the summer? Quite possibly. He has already attracted the interest of Arsenal and Leeds United in recent months.
The replacement
One man who could walk through the door this summer is Burnley winger Robbie Brady. The Hoops wanted to sign the Irishman in the summer window last year but failed after the 54-cap international signed a new deal at Turf Moor.
However, he is out of contract again in a few months time and thus, the Bhoys are hoping to revive their interest, according to The Sun.
Signing the 29-year-old on a free contract is pretty risk-free but it’s hard to suggest that he’d be a particularly good signing. Hailed by Martin O’Neill for his delivery and crossing ability, his creative numbers don’t actually amount to much.
He has only provided one assist this season, while he only managed two in 2019/20. On that basis, suggesting Brady has what it takes to fit in at Celtic would be farfetched.
That being said, his arrival could all but end Christie’s stay at the club. With David Turnbull and Tom Rogic sometimes playing in wide areas ahead of him lately, he has been in and out of the starting XI.
Lennon’s patience with the Scot is clearly wavering and interest in another player capable of featuring on the flanks testifies that.
Nick Hammond might not be signing a player of great quality but he could appease Hoops supporters by shifting Christie to one side as a result. After all, there is seemingly interest from elsewhere in his services.