Armstrong blow for Celtic
● Midfielder out for weeks after hernia op ● He’ll target Europa League ties for return
Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstronghadherniasurgery yesterday and will be out for several weeks.
The unexpected operation took place in Germany in a bid to cure once and for all a longstanding problem.
The former Dundee United player had been with the rest of Brendan Rodgers’ squad in Dubai during the winter break.
The 25-year-old, who signed a new two-year deal last August to keep him at Parkhead until 2019, has been troubled with the problem in recent weeks so the Parkhead club felt it was best he received surgery during the January lay-off as the Premiership leaders gear up for the second half of the season.
Armstrong, who joined Celtic from United in 2015, has become a real fans’ favourite with Celtic, where Rodgers has helped him fulfil his potential in his favoured position having originally been signed by Ronny Deila.
Armstrong will now miss Celtic’s return to domestic action which includes Saturday’s Scottish Cup fourthround tie against Brechin , followed by Premiership clashes with Partick Thistle, Hibs and Hearts.
But the Scotland player could potentially return for their forthcoming two-legged tie with Russian side Zenit St Petersburg in the last 32 of the Europa League. The first game is scheduled for 15 February in Glasgow with the return a week later.
Meanwhile, Celtic have been linked with a move for Chelsea youngster Charly Musonda.
The 21-year-old was said to be a target for Rodgers in the summer, though Chelsea decided to keep him at Stamford Bridge for the first half of the campaign.
Last month it was reported that Chelsea had decided to make the Belgian available on a loan deal until the end of the campaign.
Bournemouth are said to be leading the chase for the midfielder, though it has been reported that both Celtic and Nottingham Forest are monitoring the situation in case his switch to the south coast falls through.
Musonda has represented Belgium 12 times at under-21 level and spent a year on loan at Real Betis between January 2016 and January 2017.
Celtic are also said to be keen on Chelsea’s Lewis Baker, who is currently on loan at Middlesbrough.
The 22-year-old midfielder signed a season-long loan deal earlier in the campaign, but Boro manager Tony Pulis revealed the player could make an early return to his parent club during the January transfer window.