THE BOURNE IDENTITY

Christie finds life is sweet with Cherries after switch from Celtic

BY ALEX CROOK RYAN CHRISTIE says he has no regrets about quitting Celtic for Bournemouth and believes staying in Glasgow would have been “the easy option”.

The Scotland midfielder turned down Burnley and the Premier League to complete a £1.5million move to the Cherries on transfer deadline day and has played a starring role in their unbeaten start to the season.

Christie, 26, who won two SPL titles, said: “There were a few clubs sniffing about and asking the question.

“But soon as I spoke to the manager here, he said the powers above were supportive of me. I got that gut feeling it was right. It was time for a change. I’d been in Scotland my whole career, won my trophies, got my medals with Celtic and wanted to try something different.

“I saw my international team-mates coming down here and doing so well, so I wanted to follow in their footsteps.

“I saw staying at Celtic as the easy option. I wanted to come down here, challenge myself, shake things up and give it a right go.

“I’ve loved every single moment. Since I’ve joined, everyone has been brilliant with me.

“The whole team has got that winning mentality and wants to be at the top of the league and keep this unbeaten run for as long as we can.

“Coming from a team like Celtic with a similar mentality, it was an easy kind of switch.

“Especially the way we’re playing right now, freeflowing football, on the attack and really working hard off the ball.

“And with that the results are coming, so hopefully that continues.”

Championship leaders Bournemouth host sixthplaced Huddersfield today with Christie aiming to get himself on the scoresheet for the first time.

He added: “I’m still waiting on that first goal, hoping it’s just around the corner.

“As an attacking player it’s my job to come up with goals and assists. So as long as I’m doing one or the other, I’ll be happy.”