I don’t think anyone can accuse me of lacking ambition.. it’s actually the polar opposite. I achieved all I wanted to at Celts and now I hope to get the chance to play in the best league in the world
Christie has set new goals
Ryan Christie can feel himself burning up.
Not because of any rage or anger inside him when asked about the criticism that has come his way recently.
No, his temperature is rising because the sun is splitting the sky as he strolls along the beach in Bournemouth where MailSport caught up with him last week.
Christie is too measured to get embroiled in a war of words with the likes of ex- Celtic player Davie Provan, who decided to have a pop at his move to the south coast.
But that doesn’t mean he won’t stand up for himself or fight his corner.
The 26- year- old made the toughest decision of his life to leave Celtic on transfer deadline day to sign for the Cherries.
But the switch was derided by Provan, who accused Christie of lacking ambition and only going for the money.
For a boyhood fan of the club, hearing that from a legendary figure can be tough to hear. But Christie is having none of it – and rightly so.
When the Scotland midfielder talks, you quickly realise that the knee-jerk criticism was way off the mark.
Lacking ambition? Christie started his career as a skinny kid at Inverness Caley Thistle who had to graft his way to the top.
Even when he earned a dream move to Celtic, it wasn’t plain sailing.
After being sent on loan to Aberdeen, and seemingly not part of the Hoops’ plans in Glasgow, it would have been easy for him to go elsewhere.
But Christie isn’t built that way. Towards the end of his Celtic career, new boss Ange Postecoglou – knowing the playmaker might leave – could have bombed him from the squad.
Instead, due to Christie’s work ethic and attitude, the Aussie coach had him starting pretty much every game.
After six years and two Trebles at Parkhead, Christie has learned to field any flak.
But when even his dad Charl ie is getting pelters for the move to Bournemouth, Christie felt the need to speak up.
He said: “I’m wise enough to try to stay away from criticism.
“Ever yone is going to have their say, especially in Glasgow when it’s Celtic or Rangers.
“Every decision is scrutinised – whatever way you do it. So I was expecting f lak from those who
disagreed with my decision. But the important thing is that I’m delighted with the decision I’ve made.
“I’ve heard people question my ambition but I don’t understand that at all. I actually see it as the polar opposite.
“I’ve done everything I wanted to do at Celtic in terms of achievements.
“So my ambition is now to achieve something else in my career and hopefully get to play in the Premier League.
“I feel like I’ve joined a club with a massive chance of doing that via promotion. If that happens, I’ll get the chance to play in the best league in the world.
“I was a kid in Inverness who had to work for everything I got. Even when I got my move to Celtic, I had to go on loan to eventually achieve what I did.
“So I don’t think anyone can accuse me of lacking ambition.
“Everyone has a short-term memory in football. You learn that over the years and get used to it.
“I ’ v e a l s o he a rd comments about loyalty. Up until the end of my Celtic career, there were multiple times when I could have thought that it was time to move on or quit when things weren’t going well.
“I did the opposite and stuck with it. I’m delighted I did because I got the chance to play in some great Celtic teams, play in Europe and create wonderful memories.
“But you get to a point when you want to see what else is out there and try something different. I’ve heard so many people talk about how good it is down here and I wanted a taste of it myself.
“My dad actually wanted me to stay at Celtic – I went against his wishes by going!
“But he’s the one who seems to be getting more flak than me, with people saying he encouraged me to go.
“It was the opposite, my dad was so pro staying at Celtic. He’s always been like that because he loved his time at the club – and loved me playing there.
“He was looking at my options with his Celtic-tinted glasses on.
“He wanted me to stay. But he also wanted me to do what I felt was best for my career.
“And I’m very lucky to have someone like him who’s been through the football world and come out the other side.
“He loved those European nights at Celtic Park. He played his whole career in Scotland so it’s more difficult for him to wrap his head around the thought of me going further away in a different country.
“He’s got a bit of stick, which is harsh – but quite funnyy as well.”
If there are Celtic fans out therehere who think Christiestie left the club on a whim, think again.n.
It was a decisionecision he agonised overver for months until it camee to the crunch in the final week of the transfer window, with Burnleyy and Bournemouth both in the chase for hiss services.
A fee wasas agreed with both clubs, £ 2.5millionn and potentially rising to £4 m–a healthy al thy profit for Celtic given he had such a short time left on his contract.
But eventuallytually the prospect of being a regular starterter for boss Scott Parker, as well as a style of play they’re now renowned for, swung it in Bournemouth’s favour and put that Premierer League dream on hold.
Christie said:“Of all the options I had, when Bournemouthnemouth came in I just felt in my gut thatt it was the right one.
“And the great thing is that I’ve only been here a week and I already feel like I’ve made the right decision.
“Burnley were in as well and it was nice to have that Premier League interest.
“I spoke to them but listening to the manager here, in terms of his enthusiasm and excitement to try to get the club back to the Premier League, was amazing.
“Everything just felt right aboutbout Bournemouth, especially with regards to the style of play. “I just thought:ught: ‘ Yeah, this suits me down to the ground.’nd.’
“It felt likee the manager here understood how I play and how I’d fit into his team.
“It all justst made sense. People on the outside under estimate nd er estimate how tough a decision it was for me to leave Celtic.
“It wasn’tt like I just decided to leave in a day. It wasas back and forth in my mind the whole time.ime.
“It’s hard to know what’s right when you’re at a club youu enjoy playing for. The easiest thing to do is just stay where you are.
“But ultimatelymately it came down to wanting to challengee myself elsewhere.
“I was in Scotland my whole career up to now and it does get a bit repetitive.
“The league’sue’s not as big so you’re playing the same teamsams over and over again.
“So in my head, at my age, I thought it was now or neverer to give England a try.
“I grew upp as a Celtic fan so of course it was tough to leave. Just signing for Celtic in the first place was a dream come true.
“I loved it there. If I was 22 I’d have probably stayed.tayed. But it felt like my next career decisionsion was going to be the big one for me. It’s aboutbout trying to take my career to another level.evel. I was lucky enough to be part of twowo Trebles and that will always stayy with me.”