By Football Insider speaking to Jackie McNamara

24th Jan, 2020 | 11:43am

Exclusive: McNamara suggests Celtic player may make rare start on Saturday after official update

Jackie McNamara has suggested that Celtic defender Moritz Bauer could make a rare start in Saturday’s clash against Ross County.

The former Hoops and Scotland star, speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, says that the injury blow suffered by Jeremie Frimpong in midweek could force Neil Lennon’s hand into playing the Austrian.

Lennon delivered an update on the young right-back after he was stretched off in the win over Kilmarnock, insisting he was hopeful that it was nothing serious with Hatem Abd Elhamed also set to be out until the end of the month.

However, McNamara thinks that Bauer, who is firmly behind Frimpong and Elhamed in the pecking order at Parkhead, could make a rare appearance due to his teammates’ injury problems.

Asked if the 27-year-old was in line for a start on Saturday, McNamara told Football Insider, “Yeah, he could do. I don’t know how Elhamed is or anyone else.

“He has got three right-backs at the clubs but Bauer should be able to deputise and take that position, for now, to help out.”

Bauer has made just seven appearances since joining the Hoops on a season-long loan from English Championship side Stoke City this summer, with Frimpong becoming Lennon’s first-choice in Elhamed’s absence.

His last start came against CFR Cluj in the Europa League at the start of December, with Frimpong unregistered to play in the group stage matches.

In other Celtic news, McNamara has suggested that a 24-year-old is plotting to leave Parkhead for good after an official update.