Ryan Christie's former coach reckons clubs will be chasing Celtic star after Euros

By Euan Davidson

June 12, 2021

Celtic star Ryan Christie will be a wanted man after his Euros exploits with Scotland, his former coach has claimed.

Donald Park, a former SFA coach, has known Christie since the age of 8, through his father Charlie, who spent two years at Celtic. The former assistant to John Robertson at Inverness Caledonian Thistle rates the Bhoys midfielder highly.

Citing Christie’s father’s example, Park went so far as to suggest Christie had become mentally tougher. He’ll have needed to, with plenty of criticism over his performances for Celtic in 20-21. Frustratingly, that was often a function of playing in an unnatural position, something his former manager bafflingly pointed out in an article for the Times.

Speaking to the Sun, Park claimed:

“He used to come to training with his dad and I’d watch the kids train. Ryan was part of that.

“Being a Teuchter myself it has been good to see him do so well.

“Sometimes we can be a bit insular and nervous about coming to the Central Belt and the big bad world. That happened to his dad when he went to Celtic then wanted to go home. Ryan has become resilient.

“He keeps stepping up another level, which is great. [Christie] sees these stepping stones quite clearly. The talk is now for him to go to England because he’s very ambitious and he can play.”

Ryan Christie can be a success down south, claims former coach, but Euros await first

Park continued [Sun]:

“Ryan is very single-minded and I hope he achieves that. It’s great to see young Scottish players in the Premier League in England.

“I don’t see why he wouldn’t flourish down there. We sometimes underrate ourselves and our game.

“Players from England come up and get a shock that the game is much better.”

Ryan Christie celebrates for Celtic / (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

With Christie’s contract set to run out at the start of 2022, interest in the playmaker has increased. Southampton were linked to the former Inverness Caledonian Thistle man [Glasgow Live], and some impressive performances in the Euros might bump up any fee.

Despite not being at his best in 20-21, Christie is still a threat for Celtic. He set up 15 goals in all competitions, and scored 7 [Transfermarkt]. As far as Park is concerned, his wayward form in the Hoops last campaign matters little, and there’s no reason he wouldn’t follow the example of John McGinn and Stuart Armstrong, who have impressed in the Premier League.

It’s very possible we’ll see some movement on the Ryan Christie front. For what it’s worth though, he’s got plenty backing him to shine for club and country once again.

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