COPYKAT GEORGE IN GERS VOW
around and despite the manager’s insistence he remained in his future plans something had to be done about the here and now.
He travelled with Celtic to Dubai and it was there the next, and perhaps most important diversion on this journey, was sealed.
A chance meeting between Rodgers and Derek McInnes, whose Aberdeen were also in the UAE for warm-weather training, put the wheels in motion.
And it was at Pittodrie he came of age.
Flourishing in the role of the team’s main creative outlet, Christie took on a level of responsibility that would serve him so well.
The slight physique was also on the way out thanks to endless, punishing hours in the gym.
And then there was the influence of McInnes and Tony Docherty, making those demands he so readily was so happy to respond to.
However, it was a loan move that was both fulfilling and frustrating.
His dad said: “I could see in his face and in the back of his mind he wanted to prove himself at Celtic.
“I said, ‘Look Ryan, you need to get game time, you’re going out on loan for the right reasons’.”
But it was difficult watching Rodgers’ all-conquering side from such close proximity.
When Tom Rogic fired past Joe Lewis to put the final, historic touch on the Invincible Treble, Christie had fled to America with his girlfriend just to escape it all. When he reported to Lennoxtown that summer the prospect of another loan was met with trepidation. His dad said: “He started the next season at Celtic but Aberdeen were desperate to get him back. They were actually quite keen to buy him but Celtic didn’t want to sell. “He was a wee bit apprehensive about going back out on loan. He had an in-depth, long discussion with Brendan who said, ‘You’re definitely part of my plans. But I want you to go out and get more game time’. “It has probably been proved right, getting that full season under his belt.”
The phrase Rodgers later used was Christie needed “minutes in his legs” and he again returned from the north-east a more robust, rounded footballer.
But yet the uncertainty lingered until that day at Murrayfield. Goals, assists and trophies – including a Betfred Cup Final winner against, naturally, Aberdeen – have followed but the most impressive thing about Christie is perhaps what’s between his ears. His old man said: “His attitude, I know I keep going on about it, is spot on. “He’d laugh if he heard me as I don’t give him plaudits. People used to tell me I was too hard on him. “But I take my hat off to Ryan. He lives his life the right way, applies himself at training. “I’ve spoken to senior players and staff at Celtic. He’s got a strong mindset. I know him better than anyone else on the planet and he deserves it.” on European nights is second to none. That’s what the fans crave.
“It’s great for the players to look forward to as well.
“We want to beat the best teams put in front of us. Hopefully we can get through the group into the knockout stages.
“I don’t see why not. Everyone feels the same way.”
The Scotland Under-21 kid will miss the trip to Accies and a hip issue will make it touch and go for the Rennes game.
But he’s adamant the French side will be much improved from the side they played in a glamour friendly during pre-season.
He said: “It’s hard to judge how they are from a pre-season game. I didn’t play in that one but I watched the game on TV recently when they beat PSG 2-1 and they looked a decent side.
“But every team at this stage will be a decent side, we know that. We are not going to take it lightly.” PAGES 58&59