The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Christie ready for next level
Ryan Christie’s elevation to the role of Scotland international could bring Caley Thistle a muchneeded financial windfall.
Caley Jags negotiated a sell-on clause when they sold Ryan to Celtic in 2015 and I would be amazed if clubs in England are not circling Celtic Park, ready to make an offer for the Hoops man.
He has had a fantastic start to the season and he showed the confidence he has at the moment with a fine display capped by his first goal for his country in Saturday’s 2-1 win in Cyprus.
I would be astonished if he is not attracting interest on the back of his displays so far this season.
In many ways, Ryan has been building up to this moment. He had the talent, as he showed at Inverness, but he lacked physical stature.
However, the young boy who left the Highlands has been transformed in an athletic, fantastic professional player.
The small and slender Ryan is gone. He has stretched and filled out in the last couple of years and without doubt he has matured into the best player to come out of the Highlands in Scottish football history.
What I like most, though, is that through it all Ryan remains a lovely lad and a real down to earth character.
He has dedicated himself to being the best he can be and I just wonder if the time is coming where he will be offered the chance to move to the next level.
It’s all well and good winning trophies every season, and at Celtic he has the opportunity to add silverware year after year, but is that enough to satisfy him? I’m not so sure and I say that knowing Ryan is a born and bred Celtic fan. Hoops supporters don’t come more passionate than Kieran Tierney but it hasn’t stopped him leaving Glasgow for a bigger challenge in the Premier League in England with Arsenal.
It would be strange if any player, Ryan included, was not tempted should the same opportunity come their way and I am sure, for selfish reasons, Inverness will be hoping he does earn a big-money move in the near future.
Ryan’s display in Nicosia was a big plus from that match but so was John McGinn’s. He has five goals in his last five internationals, a superb feat for any Scottish international and I’m sure he’ll be desperate to keep his form going against Kazakhstan at Hampden tonight.
Three wins in a row would be a great way to end a disappointing campaign and Steve Clarke needs all the momentum he can muster before the national team’s next and most important game in the Nations League in March. It is already shaping up to be our biggest game in years.