Wilson’s a top talent but he can learn by copying Ryan’s flair
To critique the happenings of Scottish football comes with an assortment of hazards.
Tweets, messageboard posts, emails, letters and an assortment of unpleasantries are par for the course for football’s hate forums.
It’s now two-and-a-half years since a text message arrived that bucked the trend – and it was sent by Charlie Christie.
Father of Ryan and a player of some repute in his day before moving into coaching.
It was a reasoned exchange. He took exception to a pessimistic view about Scotland’s youth talent and the fact his son had been included in that.
There were no hard feelings, an Entente Cordiale to wait and see if Ryan’s progress at Celtic would prove him to become an exception to the rule.
Slowly but surely, Christie junior has justified his father’s stance that it’s an act of fol ly to use a scattergun approach to dismiss an entire generation of kids.
Having witnessed Ryan lift Celtic into the Betfred Cup Final at Murrayfield a week ago with a stunning display after climbing off the bench, it’s only right to give credit where it’s due to this rare success story.
He scored again in midweek at Dundee and grabbed the fifth in a 5- 0 league romp against the Jambos yesterday.
The 23-year-old is no longer a kid. His progress is reward for patience by his club, personal sacrifice and dedication.
Three days later it was off to Pittodrie to witness the other side of the coin when it comes to harnessing talent.
Intelligence, touch and quality were stamped all across James Wi lson’s performance for Aberdeen on Wednesday. A first chance to see him in the flesh was an eye-opener.
The Manchester United loanee was a class apart.
His goal alone in the win over Hamilton was one that few players in Scottish football are capable of scoring and justified his standing ovation.
It was one of the most impressive striking displays this observer had witnessed for an age in Scottish football.
Louis van Gaal described Wilson as “one of the brightest young English prospects”. But scrape the surface of a career that saw him score twice on his Old Trafford debut against Hul l four years earlier and it reveals why the player has arrived at a crossroads.
A boy who has played against the likes of Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool arrived at Aberdeen this summer in a lastditch attempt to stay in the game at a decent level. I have had the pleasure of interviewing van Gaal and know he’s a man who doesn’t suffer fools gladly.
So how can it be that a kid he described as the natural successor of Anthony Martial had attracted a label in some quarters as damaged goods?
Hard as it may to be believe, Wilson was part of United’s Under-23 squad that were relegated last season.
Spells at Brighton, Derby and Sheffield United did little to show signs of progress.
But the Dons are a club capable of rehabilitation. And if Wilson is looking for a role model he’d be wise to take a look at Ryan Christie.