Sports‘That’s my feeling’ - Ex-Scotland boss comments on future of ‘outstanding performer’ at Celtic
Despite the transfer window closing recently, Celtic star Ryan Christie continues to attract interest from various clubs.
The Scottish Sun reported recently that Newcastle, Burnley and Nice are very keen on the midfielder, whose contract is nearing its expiry.
Former Scotland manager Alex McLeish has been discussing these transfer rumours, in particular the interest from Nice, who are managed by Arsenal legend Patrick Viera.
What McLeish had to say about Ryan Christie
McLeish has praised the 25-year-old massively and he believes he will be happy at the Hoops. Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “I know Ryan personally but not knowing how he feels about the whole thing. I know his Dad played for Celtic as well for a wee while and Ryan Christie has been an outstanding performer over the last year or so.
“We went to South America to play Peru and he got knocked about a wee bit and then all of sudden I’ve seen him come back and he’s fending off the big guys.
“He’d been in the gym, it’s a guy who’s determined to make himself better, which he has done over this past year. He was one of the outstanding performers against Israel last year when Forrest scored his hattrick.
“That’s when I thought ‘this guy is on a different level now’. The thought of going abroad to a club that is willing to spend money and Nice are a team that have been taken over by Ineos, one of the biggest companies in the world.
“I know they have to spend within their means they can still start to try and compete with the big guns in France. Ryan will be flattered by that but I think in the meantime he’ll be quite happy at Celtic, that’s my feeling.”
How important is Ryan Christie to Celtic?
The 25-year-old has played 107 times for the Hoops, per Transfermarkt, scoring 35 goals and setting up another 33. The attacking midfielder has also won six trophies with the club, serving them with distinction since his arrival in 2015.
His form at the start of the 2020/21 campaign highlights why Celtic will want to keep him, as he already has seven assists and three goals in his 13 appearances this term, per Transfermarkt. These figures highlight that Neil Lennon would lose a vital attacking asset if Christie is sold, especially with the Hoops playing catch-up on Rangers in the Premiership.
Christie is also very versatile and has played at centre-forward when the manager has rested Odsonne Edouard, per SofaScore. Therefore, Celtic should do everything in their power to keep the Scotland international at Parkhead amid reported transfer interest from the likes of Nice.
Hoops fans, what are your thoughts on Christie’s future at the club? Let us know your views by commenting below!
The post Celtic: Alex McLeish praises Ryan Christie amid interest from Nice appeared first on The Transfer Tavern.
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