Celtic boss Neil Lennon gives update on Ryan Christie injury and addresses Craig Gordon and Scott Sinclair comments

Neil Lennon admits he would be "loath" to lose Craig Gordon after the back-up goalkeeper sat on the bench again while Celtic returned to the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership with a 2-0 home win over Hibernian.
Neil Lennon parades the Betfred Cup ahead of the match with HibsNeil Lennon parades the Betfred Cup ahead of the match with Hibs
Neil Lennon parades the Betfred Cup ahead of the match with Hibs

The 36-year-old Scotland international, whose contract is up in the summer, has played second fiddle this season to Southampton loanee Fraser Forster, but took over for Thursday's Europa League dead rubber against Cluj in Romania.

Afterwards he revealed there have been no talks about a contract extension and that he wanted more game time but Forster returned between the sticks against Hibs, with goals from 19-year-old right-back Jeremie Frimpong and French striker Odsonne Edouard taking Celtic two points clear of Rangers, who had leapfrogged them earlier in the day with a 2-0 win at Motherwell.

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Lennon, who hopes to have missing Ryan Christie, Jonny Hayes, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Mikey Johnston back from various injuries for Wednesday's trip to Hearts, described the performance against Hibs as "outstanding, we should have won by a lot more," before addressing Gordon's concerns.

I'd be loath to let Craig leave

The Parkhead boss said: "I had a wee chat with Craig on Saturday.

"He's a player I'd be loath to let go or want to see go out the door because he's a quality goalkeeper.

"Fraser is the number one currently and if anything happened to him then Craig is a ready-made replacement to step in.

"From a selfish point of view I want him to stay. He might have his own principles and want to play himself.

"It's a situation not of Craig's making. He's a great pro and I get the fact he might want to play more games."

'We'll have a chat with Sinclair

Out-of-favour winger Scott Sinclair, who also made a rare start against Cluj, has been quoted as saying he wants more minutes at Parkhead .

However Lennon said: "I'm not aware of those quotes at all. We will have a chat with Sincy going forwards.

"It's been a difficult period for him because of the quality in front of him at the minute."