Lennon ‘would want answers’ if Christie is ruled out of Gers clash

Neil Lennon says Celtic will want answers if Ryan Christie is absent from today’s Old Firm match while fellow self-isolator Kieran Tierney plays for Arsenal.

The Hoops midfielder and the Gunners defender missed Scotland’s recent triple-header after being in close contact with Stuart Armstrong, who tested positive for Covid-19.

Ahead of the visit of Rangers, the Parkhead boss claimed Celtic were told that Tierney, also told to self-isolate for 14 days, will be available to face Manchester City today.

Lennon also revealed Odsonne Edouard will be assessed after recovering from Covid-19, which was confirmed while on international duty with France Under-21s, and that Switzerland striker Albian Ajeti has trained after shrugging off a hamstring injury.

“Our medical department have spoken to the ( Arsenal) club doctor and they have been given the all-clear for Kieran to go ahead,” Lennon said.

“Everything is devolved up here and what we have been told is that in this jurisdiction, Ryan can’t be available to play, which we find strange.

“Peter (Lawwell, chief executive) and the board have been pushing this since day one and we have had no clarification, if anything we have just been met with complete resistance so far.

“Ryan was devastated. They felt they followed procedures properly and he is probably guilty by association but he has had two tests with us, both negative, and has been for the last week, 10 days.

“So we have a fit and able player not being allowed to play which we find, if this scenario pans out that Kieran can play, we find that very confusing and we would want answers.”

Nir Bitton and Hatem Elhamed are missing after testing positive for Covid-19 while on international duty.

Lennon believes it will be “very strange” to have no fans inside Celtic Park for an Old Firm derby but is looking to extend an eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions, while a win would take the champ ions above Rangers by two points having played a game fewer.

Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard insists he has no problem with his Rangers players going on international duty – as long as they are kept safe.

The Ibrox boss believes club bosses will have to cope with the challenges thrown up by the pandemic in just the same way as they do when faced with a spate of injuries.

The former England skipper said: “Assuming that players can be safe I want international football to continue.

“Of course I do. I remember sitting in the house and there was no football on at all. I was bored out of my mind.

“So I think we’re in a privileged position domestically that things can continue , even though we are facing these challenges.

“We know it ’s not perfect but two weeks ago we got a fantastic highlight qualifying against Galatasaray so I can’t sit here and say European and international football should be cancelled because it might suit my Rangers team domestically.

“We have to manage the situation and try to keep the players as safe as we can.”

Today’s result could have a major say on the outcome of this year’s title race as the Hoops chase down a historic 10 th straight title but Gerrard is backing his team to put on a performance.

He said: “We know it’s going to be a very tough challenge and we need to find a real top level performance if we are to have any hope of taking the three points.”

Rangers’ latest recruit, South African international Bongani Zungu, misses out after being forced to quarantine on his arrival in Scotland, while Joe Aribo and Kemar Roofe are also ruled out.