Report: Celtic could be without Stuart Armstrong until Zenit tie after hernia operation

Follow us on Google Discover

Celtic may have to do without one of their key men for the next few games with Stuart Armstrong set for a spell on the sidelines.

According to a report from the Daily Record, Celtic could be without Stuart Armstrong for a number of games after the midfielder underwent surgery on a hernia, with the Europa League tie with Zenit suggested as a potential return date for the 25-year-old.

The Record reports that Armstrong had been struggling with the problem in recent weeks and it was decided by the Hoops to get the operation out of the way during the mid-season break.

However, that does mean that the midfielder is set to be out for a number of weeks once the campaign gets going again. The Record suggests that Armstrong looks set to miss the Scottish Cup fourth round tie with Brechin as well as the following four Scottish Premiership games.

And if Celtic make it past Brechin and make it to the fifth round, it seems that he may miss that game also, with the Record suggesting that the Europa League games with Zenit may be when the Scotland international makes his return.

Though Armstrong – who has been linked with a £10 million move to Southampton during this window (via Sunday Post) – has probably not been as good this season as he was last year, it will undoubtedly be a blow for Brendan Rodgers to not have one of last term’s key men available for the coming weeks.

But a number of his teammates may be looking at Armstrong’s unfortunate situation as an opportunity to make a statement to Rodgers and perhaps stamp their authority on the position in the middle of the park before he returns.