Blast from the past is perfect for Celt Christie
The return of Fraser Forster to Celtic has rekindled some cherished memories for new team-mate Ryan Christie.
Christie was only 17, and still an Inverness Caledonian Thistle youth player, when he travelled down to Celtic Park with dad, Charlie, in 2012 to see the Hoops’ Champions League tie against Barcelona. While it was Tony Watt who wrote his name into folklore by scoring the winning goal, the efforts of Forster in restricting Barca to a single Lionel Messi goal struck a chord with the teenager.
“I think everyone remembers how well he played that night – certainly I do,” said the now 24-year-old Christie.
“It is fantastic to have a keeper like that on nights when you are up against it, a guy you know you can rely on to make some big saves.
“We all k n ow in Scotland how good he was the first time he was here. I came up against him when I was with Inverness and he was certainly very hard to play against.
“The record of clean sheets he set when he was here in his first stint (11 consecutive matches) speaks volumes for his quality, so the boys are delighted he’s back. “When a keeper’s that size, it’s pretty daunting when you face him, so he’s a great addition to the squad.” A squad that already includes Craig Gordon and, when he has recovered from his dislocated thumb, Scott Bain.
“It’ll be hard for the three of them – thank God I’m not a keeper!” said Christie.
“Obviously, at a club like Celtic there should be competition for places. That in turn raises your game when you’re fighting to be in the starting-xi.
“It’s a pressure you’ve got to deal with at a club like this. When you are put in the team, you have to perform or lose the jersey for the next week and maybe more.
“So, especially for me in the position I am in, in midfield, that means I have to contribute, score goals, create goals, and if I do that I’ll be happy.”
This afternoon’s sees Christie up against Hearts, the side he is widely seen as having made his breakthrough performance against in last season’s Betfred Cup semi- final played at Murrayfield.
“It was the first time I’d stamped myself as a Celtic player, and I kind of kicked on from there. I know it’s only 10 months, but it feels like a lifetime ago!” he said.
“It’s nice to look back and see how far I’ve come. I’ve been delighted at how things have gone, but I’ve spoken to the gaffer about it and I can’t rest on my laurels, I need to keep pushing.”