Ryan won’t mind if he is reduced to tears again by another Scotland success
Even if he never kicked a ball again, Ryan Christie will always be treasured by Scottish football fans for THAT television interview.
In Serbia a year ago last Friday, the midfielder captured perfectly the mood of the nation with his emotional reaction to the end of a 22-year wait to get back to a major Finals.
Trying unsuccessfully to fight back the tears, he spoke movingly of qualification for the Euros being the perfect tonic after a horrible year of lockdowns and lockouts.
It is a measure of the progress made under Steve Clarke that this morning finds his side within touching distance of Qatar and a second Finals in 18 months.
“The World Cup is on everyone’s mind now,” said Christie, who missed Friday’s win in Moldova through suspension, but will return for the visit of Denmark tomorrow, with a seeded spot in the playoff draw up for grabs.
“The first thing we said when we met up for the Euros was that we wanted to do ourselves proud.
“But we also said we didn’t want it to be a one-hit wonder. We wanted to make that the benchmark, and make it a regular thing that we qualify for tournaments.
“We can’t just rest on things. We want to keep pushing.
“Getting to the World Cup is that step harder, but with the group we have – and how well we are playing – we feel like we can definitely achieve it.
“We have a young vibe in this team, and everyone is desperate to qualify again after the Euros.”
As Christie’s comments indicate, the summer had something of a sobering effect on Scotland.
The spirited draw against England at Wembley gave the Tartan Army another night to remember, but the losses to the Czech Republic and Croatia at Hampden were disappointing.
With the Czech Republic having gone on to lose to Denmark in the quarterfinals, there is no doubting the size of the task at Hampden tomorrow night.
“Everyone saw how good they are at the Euros,” said the 26-year-old, “and we got personal experience of that when we went there a couple of trips back.
“Being at home this time should help us, but they are top seeds for a reason.
“I play alongside a Dane, Phil Billing at Bournemouth, and the fact he doesn’t even make their squad tells me just how much quality they have.
“Since I moved down from Celtic, he is one of the players who has really stood out. He has so much quality. I have not played a game with him where he has not had an impact.
“I also like the fact that he is always right behind you if you fly into a tackle.”
Christie has been making a big impression himself.
His tally of five assists is among the Championship’s best, while one showy pass – a first-time flick from a long diagonal pass – saw him compared to Cristiano Ronaldo on social media.
“I don’t know where that comparison came from, but I have been hammered for it by all the boys in the changingroom,” he said with a laugh.
“I’m actually desperate for my first goal, but I’ve been getting a few assists, so I will take that for now.
“The move has been everything I thought it was going to be.
“The way the manager, Scott Parker, likes to play has suited me. He is brilliant, and reminds me of Brendan Rodgers in terms of the preparation and detail he puts into games.
“He played at the top level, and has done really well as a manager. He is so passionate. Every time he steps onto the training pitch, you know you have to be right at it.
“The boys have been flying as well, and it is pretty easy to join a team when that is the case. Long may it continue.”
Christie has the same feelings about Celtic’s season, sharing a fan’s enthusiasm for some of the football that his old club are playing under Ange Postecoglou.
“They have been great,” he said. “Before I left, I was able to get a wee taste of Ange’s training, and I enjoyed it, and how good he was.”
“The longer he stays in the job, the more successful Celtic will be.
“I’m rooting for the boys I’m pally with up the road, and hoping they do well.”