Aberdeen talent Scott Wright has admitted that he looks up to Celtic superstar Ryan Christie for inspiration.
Christie spent a total of 18 months on loan at Pittodrie over the course of two different loan spells between 2017 and 2018. During that time he made 33 direct goal contributions in the form of 15 goals and 18 assists in 57 appearances (Transfermarkt).
Derek McInnes has yet to find as effective an attacker as Christie since then either. When he arrived back at Parkhead for the 2018/19 campaign, the attacker then shot himself into the side and hasn’t looked back.
Wright is one of many in absolute awe of the Celtic man too. Speaking in the Press and Journal, the current Dons star talked up Christie’s game:
“I’ve had a conversation with the gaffer about playing in there (the number 10 role), and I’ve seen some great players – like Ryan – in that role here in recent years.
“You watch the best players, whether it’s in the Premier League in England or up here and Ryan’s definitely one them. You can take as much as possible from players like him and put it into your game.
“Ryan has become more selfish lately in front of goal, and he has the stats to back that up, which is something I want to do. I want to put my own spin on the role, but you are judged on your stats, be it assists or goals.”
Christie no longer a shy instigator
During Christie’s Inverness and Aberdeen days, he would always be looking to find the right pass as opposed to being too focused on his own goal return.
That has changed massively at Celtic. He has considerably more goals than assists with the Hoops (34 to 28), and almost uses his shooting ability to force panic in the opposition defence.
So far Christie has two goals and two assists this season, but that doesn’t tell the full story of his balance between setting teammates up and going for goal himself.
In the recent fixture against Dundee United at Tannadice, for example, Christie had six pops at goal on his own, according to WhoScored. Compare that with the two key passes he made in the same game, and that shows the added responsibility he puts on himself to find breakthroughs.
He doesn’t like being a background player anymore. Trying to find key passes will always be a part of his game, but he has so much confidence in his shooting ability now that he’s Celtic’s go-to man for efforts outside the penalty box.
It’s no wonder Christie reaps the rewards of his own confidence. Wright is right to look upto him, and all aspiring number 10s around the country should be doing the same.
In other news, a winger Lennon allowed to depart in January has been praised for finally finding his feet.
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