Celtic attacker Ryan Christie has opened up on the frustration of his recent appearance for Scotland.
The in-form midfielder was a 62nd minute substitute for Steve Clarke’s men in Friday’s defeat to Russia. Christie came on just after his side fell behind to the World Cup quarter-finalists and couldn’t do anything to change the scoreline in the dying stages.
And he admits that the Hampden clash left a bitter taste in his mouth.
“It was frustrating to come on and then not get on to the scoresheet as that was my aim,” he told the Times. I wanted to get us back in the game. It was opening up towards the end and I managed to find a bit of space. I wanted to get closer to Oli and help him out.
“Towards the end of the game we showed we were as good as Russia but the damage had been done by then.
“I’ve no idea if I’ve played myself into contention for the Belgium game. I’d be delighted if I play. I think we’ve got a lot of talent throughout the squad so everyone will be champing at the bit to get in and prove a point.”
Christie would relish Belgium challenge for Scotland
It seemed a bizarre decision not to start Christie on Friday night. The 24-year-old has been the outstanding player in Scotland so far this season and would have fancied his chances of playing more than half an hour at Hampden Park.
Christie would have offered Scotland a creativity that seemed so badly missing in the Russia defeat. His ability to link the midfield and attack and also shoot from distance is something that Celtic have really benefitted from in recent weeks, so you would imagine Scotland would have too.
After missing the away game against Belgium through injury, he will be raring to go if given the chance on Monday night. Christie often raises his game in the big environments and you would back him to do the same against Roberto Martinez’s side.
But, from a selfish Celtic point of view, we’ll be more than happy to see him on the bench and fresh for what’s to come.
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