Celtic clinched top spot in Group E of the Europa League with an emphatic 3-1 win over Rennes. The Hoops were comfortable throughout the game, and one of the best players on the night was Ryan Christie.
The Hoops attacking midfielder has started this season in great form, and that continued against the French side. He scored the second Celtic goal on the stroke of half-time with a fine strike, and his range of passing throughout the game was superb.
One man who was impressed with Christie’s performance was BBC pundit James McFadden. He claimed that Christie’s performances this season were of ‘the highest standard’.
“Incredible”
As quoted by BBC Scotland (28/11 live match page, 21:41), McFadden said: “It might not have been Ryan Christie’s most eye-catching performance, but his work-rate, his touch, his passing has been incredible”
He’s just so consistent. He picks up good positions, he does a shift for the team, his touch is great, his awareness is great. He comes up with goals, and he creates chances for the team. This season, his performances have been of the highest standard.”
Even though Christie’s goal will get the headlines, his range of passing in the second-half should not be forgotten about. He was at the forefront of a few moves that in another day would have resulted in goals.
His goalscoring ability does deserve a mention though. Before he scored against Rennes, Christie has scored 12 goals for the Hoops this season. He is now on 13 goals, a truly great return for a player that isn’t a striker.
Playing too well to be rested
With Celtic set to play nine games in December, it will be interesting to see how many of those games Christie starts. He is in too good a run of form to be rested. However, it may be unrealistic to expect him to play all nine games.
You would think that he will start against Ross County on Sunday though, as Celtic aim to stay at the top of the league. Maybe he could be rested in the game against Hamilton on Wednesday, in the run-up to next Sunday’s Betfred Cup Final.
It just over a year Christie has become one of Celtic’s best players, a situation few would have imagined at the start of last season. Credit for that has to be given to his former manager Brendan Rodgers, Neil Lennon and the player himself.
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