Christie claims Dons have same winning mindset as champions

ABERDEEN

V KILMARNOCK

Ryan Christie knows Aberdeen can’t compete with Celtic financially but the midfielder, who is on a season-long loan at Pittodrie from the champions, is certain they can match them when it comes to a winning mentality.

Christie spent five months at Pittodrie earlier this year and was willing to return as part of the deal that took Jonny Hayes in the opposite direction because of the similarities between Derek Mcinnes and Brendan Rodgers.

Obviously the Dons can’t compete with the sort of money that saw Celtic sign Christie from Inverness Caley Thistle in 2015 as their manager has spent just £700,000 in transfer fees in four years.

Despite that Aberdeen remain Celtic’s closest challengers, which is no surprise to the 22-year-old who has won 18 times and lost just twice in the 21 domestic games played under Mcinnes so far.

“I wouldn’t say there are any differences [between Celtic and Aberdeen] as it’s similar in terms of the expectations to win here” claimed Christie.

“I think it comes down to attitude and mindset at a club, even if you don’t have the budget that the likes of Celtic do to spend on players and wages.

“Any game we go into, no matter who we’re playing, obviously we want to win, but there’s an expectation to win as well. That’s good for me as being on loan here gives me that experience which is the same at Celtic Park.

“That expectation of winning week in, week out. We have that attitude here. It’s great for players like me to learn and play in that environment. I think it brings everybody on and improves your game on a Saturday. When I decided to come back here, that was one of the factors.

“Aberdeen are a club that push themselves so much and they’re always on the up.

“It’s a great club to be a part of and the attitude is correct for me to come in and learn and hopefully get experience in a club that always wants to be successful.”

The only drawn game during his time with Aberdeen came in last week’s goalless match against Hearts at Murrayfield which spoiled a run of seven straight away league wins.

Despite that a 14th straight victory at Pittodrie against Kilmarnock this afternoon will at least keep the Dons level on points with Celtic at the top of the Premiership table. And Christie believes it’s another indication of just how strong and demanding Aberdeen are now that they were disappointed at only picking up a point last Saturday.

He added: “We’re definitely happy where we are now and if you’d said to us at the start of the season, we’d definitely have taken it. But we were frustrated after the game at Murrayfield and our heads were down as we were disappointed. It does show how much pressure we put on ourselves that we were disappointed with the result.”

Winger Gary Mackay-steven is an injury doubt for Aberdeen along with midfielder Greg Tansey.

Meanwhile, Kilmarnock manager Lee Mcculloch has been boosted by the swift return to fitness of Gordon Greer as he prepares to take his side to Pittodrie.

Greer was substituted at half time in the 2-0 defeat by Motherwell last week with a groin problem, but is being monitored and is expected to be passed fit.

Scott Boyd is fit following a knock, but Gary Dicker (stomach) and Greg Kiltie (ankle) remain sidelined.