Sutton Backs Lennon To Throw New Signing “In At The Deep End” Against Rangers

Sutton Backs Lennon To Throw New Signing “In At The Deep End” Against Rangers

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton is backing manager Neil Lennon to select Moritz Bauer for the Old Firm derby tomorrow afternoon.

The Austrian international was signed on loan from Stoke City earlier this week and has not played a competitive match so far this season. However, the injuries to Kristoffer Ajer and Hatem Abd Elhamed mean the right-back is in contention to start at Ibrox. Sutton believes he will be given the nod for the game:

“Bauer will need to jump in at the deep end. The Austrian had a tough time at Stoke last season but he’s a decent player with good pedigree. It’s not easy going straight into an Old Firm clash but he just needs to block it out and get on with his own game.”

It will be a gamble if Bauer does start in such a hotly contested derby. The Austrian won’t have played in an atmosphere like it before and the fact that he isn’t match fit makes it an even bigger risk.

However, Lennon really doesn’t have many other options. Anthony Ralston has looked shaky when called upon and with 172 senior appearances under his belt, as well as six caps for Austria, Bauer looks like the safer bet.