Reported January interest in Christie proves his value to Celtic

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It’s fair to say that not many Celtic fans were left concerned when they heard about our reported Ryan Christie contract mess.

Indeed, the Scottish Daily Mail reported yesterday [print edition, 25/04, back page] that the Hoops attacker’s deal expires in January 2022. That means he’s free to speak to clubs from July onwards in a pre-contract deal.

Given how poor he’s been this season, Celtic fans weren’t exactly deflated. On the contrary, news of this report had many celebrating a potential earlier exit for Christie. Indeed, despite the fact he’s a quadruple treble winner, his performances have been woeful this season. With only seven goals in 43 appearances this term, his cutting edge has disappeared [Transfermarkt].

But let’s not mistake that with a lack of transfer value. Despite his poor form, Celtic have still made a colossal blunder here, if the report proves to be correct. If Christie’s deal is up in January, we’ve done ourselves out of millions.

Some may wonder how that would be the case. After his performances this season, nobody would buy him, right? Well, if truth be told, he was reportedly in-demand as recently as January. Christie had only managed to net three goals by then, yet according to 90Min, he was being tracked by as many as six EPL clubs.

Arsenal, Leicester, Newcastle United, Southampton, Brighton, and Burnley were all linked with an interest. That wasn’t including several clubs on the continent.

Ryan Christie transfer funds could’ve been a key boost for Celtic

Granted, none of those clubs came to the Hoops in January and made an offer. Christie would remain in Glasgow and is currently seeing out the season.

Many would’ve expected Celtic to be able to cash in, albeit at a lower rate. But even with 12 months on his contract, it wouldn’t have been ridiculous to suggest that Celtic could’ve bagged between £5m-£10m in today’s market.

You have to take into account the profile Christie has. He’s played a key part in Celtic’s quadruple treble run and is still only 26. He has plenty of years ahead of him at the top level, and it won’t be long before he comes into his prime years. Therefore, the youngster would’ve held real transfer value.

The level of reported interest in him is proof of that. He was also linked with Leicester and Leeds in December too [90Min]. Whatever our view on his performances, he had a profile that clearly attracted interest.

With the summer transfer window always the busier of the two, and considering Christie would’ve been into the final 12 months of his deal, we were onto a winner here. Some much-needed funds for the new manager to play with.

But if he is indeed out-of-contract in January, we’ve made a huge blunder. That can’t be denied, regardless of whether you want him out of the team or not.

In other news, we discuss why talk of a long-term Celtic rebuild is over-the-top.