Celtic’s victory over AIK in Sweden last night, which ensured their place in the group stage of the Europa League, was overshadowed by injuries to two players during the game.
Kristoffer Ajer limped off after just 13 minutes and, as tweeted by @CelticFC, Odsonne Edouard also went off injured later in the match, being replaced by Vakoun Issouf Bayo.
76′ – #CelticFC sub:
Bayo
@Oedouard22Swift recovery, Odsonne
1⃣-2⃣ #AIKCEL #UEL pic.twitter.com/nvCUW3mGwE
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 29, 2019
The striker, who this week was called up to the France under-21 squad, has scored five goals in 10 games for Celtic so far this term and had been on target in the first leg of the play-offs against AIK.
The 21-year-old was the Hoops’ leading scorer last season with 22 goals in 52 matches and is their third highest scorer so far in 2019/20 behind James Forrest and Ryan Christie.
Ajer has played in 11 of Celtic’s 12 games so far this season, although he went off against Dunfermline in the recent Betfred Cup game with a shoulder injury and his early exit from the AIK match is the latest defensive injury with which Neil Lennon must contend, with Hatem Abd Elhamed working his way back to fitness after a training ground knock.
Ahead of the derby against Rangers on Sunday, these Celtic fans on Twitter were fuming about the injuries picked up by Ajer and Edouard:
https://twitter.com/strawsforeyes/status/1167143769491353600
Should have taken him off at half time, shambles
— Connor (@hctelfih) August 29, 2019
Lennon doesn’t deserve to manage these players. He should have been off at half time.
— Kelvin Martin Johnston (@kelvinmjohnston) August 29, 2019
Why wasn’t he off earlier??
This was the perfect game to get Bayo another run out for 30/40 mins
This could have been easily avoided, Lenny being inept tactically again
— Luke Bernard-Haigh (@50shadesofhaigh) August 29, 2019
Total negligence from Lennon keeping Forrest and Edouard on, still manages to give game time to his golden boy Morgan.
— John Patrick (@JohnPatrick365) August 29, 2019
Lennon caused this problem. Ridiculous decision to keep him on
— Trish (@sp_trish) August 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/LiamPaterson_98/status/1167143725870587905
Appalling game management from Lennon. Tie already over, he should have been off ages ago. Pathetic.
— David Barrett (@bigbenmurphy) August 29, 2019
Celtic fans, do you think Ajer and Edouard should have been rested last night? Let us know your views in the comments section below!
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