Ryan’s got the keys to No.10
Clarke reckons Christie is more than luxury player
Ryan Christie is part of a new breed of modern-day No.10s.
And Steve Clarke reckons the Celtic star is a luxury Scotland CAN afford in our bid to reach Euro 2020.
Years ago, so- called playmakers operating in the hole quickly became passengers if other areas of the team weren’t functioning.
They had the perception of being lazy, with no interest in tracking runners or closing down opponents.
But that’s all changed. The best No.10s in the world, like David Silva at Manchester City, are among the hardest grafters as well.
And where Scotland are right now, Clarke can’t afford to carry anyone.
But in the Parkhead midfielder he sees a young player who can be a key component of the national team for a long time.
Christie is excelling now under club boss Neil Lennon, who has given him licence to play centrally behind Celtic’s main striker.
On the face of it, you wonder if Scotland can accommodate a player in that area – especially when we’re toiling for quality defenders.
But Clarke insists Christie is different. A technician with bags of creativity but also the tenacity and desire to fight for his team.
The national team gaffer can’t wait to work with the 24-year- old in the build-up to next week’s Euro doubleheader against Russia and Belgium.
Clarke has been impressed by Christie’s form for the Hoops and sees no reason why he can’t do the same for his country.
He said: “Ryan’s started really well for Celtic. He’s a positive player, direct, he gets at people.
“And he’s not got a bad strike on his left foot either. He’s back in a really good p l a c e a nd deserves his place in the squad.
“He’s grown into that Celtic team. He’s
quick and excites you. When he was on loan at Aberde en and I was at Kilmarnock, he was a thorn in our side. “But Celtic found a little position f o r h im be f o r e B r e n d a n Rodgers left. “I remember getting spanked 5- 0 at Celtic Park which wasn’t very nice – but Ryan was the catalyst for it. “If you watch him play, it’s not a free role. When he hasn’t got the ball, he goes chasing after people all the time. “He’s not a tackler or a ball winner. But he’s always ratting around people, getting after them. “Sometimes your No.10 is a luxury player but Ryan is more than that.
“He goes in for challenges and wants the ball back. He never hides, even on a bad day.
“He’ll keep looking to get on the bal l and make things happen in the final third of the pitch.
“Sometimes he actually overplays a bit in areas where he shouldn’t.
“But as he gets older and wiser, he’ll learn when and
This job is different .. it’ll take time to adapt
when not to play it.” Clarke won’t be at Ibrox today for the first Old Firm game of the season as he begins his preparation in earnest for Russia’s visit to Glasgow on Friday night. But he’ll watch the likes of Christie, Call um McGregor, James Forrest and Ryan Jack from behind his sofa – praying none pick up injuries. That’s all part of international management and Clarke admits he’s still getting used to the job. Not being in daily contact with his players is something he’s found tough so far – but he revealed fellow home nations gaffers Gareth Southgate, Ryan Giggs and Michael O’Neill have given him pointers on how best to deal with it. Clarke said: “I won’t go to the Old Firm game but I’ll watch it – probably through the cracks in my fingers. “I’ve already lost three central defenders, who I picked the last time, to injury. But that’s just part of the job. “This job’s different. It’s going to take me time to adapt and get used to it. “The first two games were tacked on to the end of the season. I just carried on as if I was still working.
“Then there was the little pause in June when I needed a rest, I needed that four weeks.
“I slept for the first week. Then you wake up in July and wonder what you do next as an international manager. “There’s no games to go to, nothing to watch, everyone’s in pre-season. It was a little bit strange. “Hopefully I can find a little routine to get me through those down periods. “Since August, it’s been good to go round clubs and watch different games.
“And I’m looking forward to 10 days of madness when we go into camp. It’ll be full- on, very intense.
“I’ve bumped into Gareth, Ryan and Michael when I’ve been out at games.
“They tell you how intense it’ll be and what to do with the down time. I’m picking up bits of experience like that, trying to get my teeth into the job.
“None of them have told me to f**k off yet so that’s good. I’ve known Gareth a long time and had plenty tussles with Ryan on the pitch.
“Michael is a great guy too, they’re all good people. There’s a shared empathy because we’re doing a similar job.”
Clarke’s job is to get Scotland into contention to qualify from our Euro 2020 group – irrespective of the fact we have a Nations League play-off to come in March. Two games against Russia, either side of a Hampden clash with world No.1 side Belgium, wi l l be key to his hopes.
But he’s convinced that with the backing of a strong Scot land support on Friday, his team can give the World Cup quarter- finalists something to worry about.
Clarke said: “I ’ m looking forward to the challenge.
“I want to make the Tartan Army happy and qual i fy for a major tournament. That’s the goal.
“Listen, Russia are a good team who did well at their home World Cup last year.
“But we have to believe we can cause them problems, especially at Hampden.
“If we can get as many people in here as possible to get behind the team, the bigger belief it will give the players.
“Sometimes that lift can be the difference between getting a point or three.”