Celtic have virtually confirmed that Ryan Christie won’t play again this season.
The midfielder was on the receiving end of a horrendous challenge from Dom Ball during Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final win over Aberdeen that caused the match to be held up for six minutes.
After the final whistle Neil Lennon sounded hopeful that Christie would be back in time for the Scottish Cup Final against Hearts on May 25 but after pictures emerged of the incident and damage that timescale looked optimistic.
Today the club stated:
CELTIC Football Club can confirm that Ryan Christie has suffered multiple facial fractures following the incident during Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden.Â
Ryan is scheduled to undergo surgery on Thursday of this week. We are not able at this stage to give any specific indication on a timescale for his return to action but, of course, everyone at Celtic wishes Ryan all the best for his full recovery.Â
With his left eye closed over, cheekbone swollen and nose bloodied Christie took the full brunt of Ball’s forehead flush on his face.
Referee Craig Thomson only punished the incident with a yellow card but having been booked earlier Ball was ordered from the pitch.
Early in the second half team-mate Lewis Ferguson did receive a straight red card for an over the ball attack on Tom Rogic who managed to escape serious injury.
Celtic face Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday May 4.