Ryan Christie on the advice he’s received from Steve Clarke

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Ryan Christie has revealed that Scotland boss Steve Clarke advised him to cut in on his left foot more while playing for the national team.

The Celtic man netted his first international goal in Scotland’s 2-1 win over Cyprus on Saturday. The game may have been a dead rubber, in a qualification group long gone for the Scots, but the goal still mattered a lot to Christie as he set his sights on the future.

“I’m delighted,” he told the Evening Express. “It’s something I have been trying to do every time I’ve played for Scotland and it has probably taken me longer than I wanted but it is nice get it in a win.

“The gaffer wants me to cut in on my left foot so when the defender showed me inside there was only one thing on my mind and thankfully it ended in the goal.

“I want to keep going and score more goals for my country.

“That would be amazing for me and hopefully it’s a mark of things to come.”

Clarke advice suggests that Christie can play on the right

Christie’s terrific curled finish was a perfect example of what he’s capable of from long range. The 24-year-old netted a memorable hat-trick from outside the box in our opening day rout of St. Johnstone, while he also curled in a beauty against Lazio.

His transition to the right-wing for a portion of Scotland’s win in Cyprus may have interested Neil Lennon. His Celtic side aren’t currently blessed for right-wingers with James Forrest seemingly the only obvious option.

Marian Shved is also around but he’s featured just twice all season long. Christie looks like he could do a job on the right-wing with his ability to cut inside onto his left-foot not in doubt.

The former Aberdeen man could work perfectly with a player like Jeremie Frimpong – who is always keen to get on the overlap. Playing those two together, and giving Forrest a rest, may be on Lennon’s mind as we approach a packed six weeks or so.

Forrest is unlikely to play every game of our hectic run. If Lennon is looking for options to fill in, then Christie could be the man.