SAYS CALLUM McGREGOR

CALLUM McGREGOR insists the Parkhead stage is now set for Ryan Christie to light it up and prove his worth to Celtic.

Christie has made six appearances for the Hoops this season after spending the last 18 months on loan with Aberdeen.

Earlier this month he revealed how he hoped the departure of Moussa Dembele to Lyon for £20million on transfer deadline day would open the door for him to stake his claim for regular first-team football.

The 23-year-old attacking midfielder is in the final year of his Parkhead contract and Scotland star McGregor believes his clubmate is ready to step up to the plate and make a massive impact for Brendan Rodgers’s side.

McGregor has watched the ex-Dons loanee dazzle every day at training and rates him as a top talent.

And he reckons it is only a matter of time before Christie forces his way into the Northern Irishman’s starting 11.

The 25-year-old said: “Ryan has fantastic ability and you’ve seen the tremendous impact he has made when he has come off the bench in our last couple of games. The manager likes him as well.

“Technically, he is at the top level and Moussa’s departure has created a big opportunity for him.

“Ryan has all the skill in the world, he’s a good kid and works really hard at training every single day.

“I don’t see any reason why he can’t do well for us.

“It’s sometimes just about being