Scotland debut is feather in my loan gaffer’s cap

Playing for Scotland wasn’t on the agenda for Ryan Christie when he moved to Aberdeen on loan.

But, thanks to Dons boss Derek McInnes , the playmaker now wants to cement his place in the national side.

Christie was a Celtic outcast when he first made the temporary switch to Pittodrie last term.

And this summer he jumped at the chance to work again with McInnes in the Granite City.

An international call-up was the last thing on his mind as he looked to reignite his club career.

But he’s now flying for the Dons and made his Scotland debut in Thursday night’s friendly defeat against Holland.

Christie said: “When I first came to Aberdeen I didn’t think there was even a possibility of getting into the national squad.

“So I was delighted in midweek . It was an unbelievable experience to play against those worldclass players.

“I didn’t want to look out of place on Thursday night and I felt good out there.

“When I joined Aberdeen I needed to get my form back up at a consistent level before I could think about Scotland.

“So when I got the call, it was complete disbelief. I was over the moon.

“McInnes has been a massive factor.

“He was the main reason I came back this season because I liked playing under him so much.

“That shows on the park because he lets me express myself and you can’t ask for any more than that.

“He ha s a bit of everything as a manager. That’s why there’s so much speculation about him whenever a job arises.

“I’m delighted that I’ve stamped my name on his starting 11 most weeks.

“It’s up to me to kick on now, keep my level high and keep my place in the Scotland set-up.”

Christie lined up beside Cel t i c pa l Ca l lum McGregor against the Dutch and neither looked out of place on the international stage.

It wasn’t so long ago the pair were being left out of the Parkhead squad and were forced to go out on loan to get games.

McGregor is now a regular for Brendan Rodgers’ side whi le Christie is impressing in the Pittodrie first team.

And the Dons ace now u s e s h i s ma t e a s inspiration, in terms of what he wants to achieve in the next few years.

Christie said: “It was f r u st rat i n g for me obviously so I’m happy that I managed to get out on loan to Aberdeen.

“I was plateauing as a footballer and that can only be bad for your career.

“I’m happy to be playing again and, as for Callum, he’s a great person for me to look up to now. He went on loan to Notts County, came back and his footbal l now at Celtic is brilliant.

“I ’ ve seen it i n training and we all saw it for Scotland.

“Cal lum’s a g reat player. It has been hard for him to break through with Scotland because of the players who were ahead of him.

“But he did brilliantly against Holland and did himself no harm going forward.”

But Callum Paterson is grateful to be over the mental torture of the past 10 months as much as the physical.

The 23-year-old’s cruciate ligament injury couldn’t have come at a worse time last December.

The injury left him in limbo with his decision already taken to quit Hearts for pastures new – and the pastures new suddenly vanishing from sight at the news.

But Cardiff City’s faith in signing the Scotland full-back in mid-rehab is now being rewarded as he takes his first tentative steps at the top end of the English Championship with them.

And he admits he has finally dispelled the doubts in his head that he would ever get back to his best after an arduous recovery.

Paterson said: “Of course there are doubts, 100 per cent. It’s a long-term injury but 90 per cent or maybe more is in the mind.

“You need to keep your brain healthy and get the negative thoughts out.

“It’s not easy to do, especially when you’re stuck in a room for nine months, but thankfully I’ve come through on the other side.

“I’m feeling good. I’m just get- ting back to match fitness now and getting the sharpness back.

“It will take some time but I’m getting there.

“It’s not been easy though. It felt horrible at the time. I was obviously out of contract at Hearts.

“Nothing was happening and I was stagnating.

“Hearts were great with me, though, even though they knew I was going. They kept me going through my rehab.

“But my head was a bit of a mess because I didn’t know what was happening and you see interest starting to drift.

“But, as I say, it’s a mental injury as well as a