Davie Provan calls out Ryan Christie for Celtic to Bournemouth switch

By David Walton

September 2, 2021

Davie Provan has called out Ryan Christie after swapping Celtic for Bournemouth on transfer deadline day.

Christie had been an Ange Postecoglou favourite in the early weeks of the season. So much so that the new Hoops boss wanted to tie him down on a long-term contract [The Herald].

Christie had previously been linked with the likes of Monaco and Nice in 2020. But a declining run of form meant that the calibre of potential suitors lowered massively. Now, he finds himself in the Championship after leaving Parkhead with his contract into the final few months.

And Provan has questioned the sense of the move as he departs an exciting project under Postecoglou for a spot in England’s second-tier.

Speaking live on the Go Radio Football Show last night, Provan said: “The big shock for me was Ryan Christie at Bournemouth. What is that about? Why did Ryan Christie leave Celtic to go to a club like Bournemouth?

“I mean it’s village green stuff down there. I don’t care how much money he is on. It’s 11,500 when the ground is full. They could lose 2-0 or 3-0 and get applauded off the pitch. It’s unbelievable.

“I just don’t get it. Listen, clearly it’s all about money, but to leave Celtic to go to Bournemouth is staggering.”

Ryan Christie ambition deserves to be questioned after swapping Celtic for Bournemouth

You can just hear those defending the English game in your head right now. They’ll argue that Christie is showing ambition as he’s looking for a route into the EPL. That he’ll be up against a generally better quality of player in the English Championship.

True, but where is the pressure or excitement in playing in front of 11,500 every week? Celtic Park is going to be packed on a consistent basis this season. Especially when you consider the recent return of fans to football stadia.

Had Monaco or Nice come in for him, you could understand that. It would’ve been a move to one of Europe’s top leagues and to a top-half club too. You can’t say Christie has now moved to England’s equivalent in Bournemouth.

How much of his decision was financial is something only the Scotland international will know. But it’s disappointing that a Celtic supporter has identified Bournemouth as a more exciting project than the Postecoglou revolution.

It’s worth remembering that a big year for Celtic and he could’ve easily earned a move directly to one of Europe’s top leagues again. It’s frustrating he wasn’t interested in that challenge.

All the best to him of course. It’s easy to forget just how integral he was to the quadruple-treble success. But his departure in the end could’ve been a lot grander for him instead of the underwhelming switch he made.

In other news, Ali McCann deadline day sale explained after Celtic links