Ryan Christie Has Done Enough At Aberdeen To Warrant Celtic Chance

Celtic’s Ryan Christie didn’t moan about not getting more first team opportunities, nor did the attacking midfielder throw his toys out of the pram when Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers sent him up to Aberdeen for a loan spell.

No the Scottish under-21 cap went to Pittodrie and tried to do his upmost in helping the Dons beat Rangers to second place in the Scottish Premiership. On that objective it was mission accomplished for the former Inverness Caley Thistle man.

The twenty-two year old has impressed during his loan stint. He has bagged himself seven goals in fifteen appearances since his January switch. Five of those goals came in the last five games of the season and it included a strike at Hampden against Hibs and the winner at Ibrox  to defeat Rangers in the league.

His performances were so good, that even in such a short period of time, he was announced Aberdeen’s young player of the year.

Not only did the loanee help Aberdeen finish runners up in Scotland’s top flight but his efforts also saw them secure a place in the upcoming Scottish Cup final.

Alas Christie himself will have to sit the final out as the Dons face his parent club Celtic.

Now what should happen next with Ryan?

The player himself has stated he’d be open to making a return to Aberdeen next season:

“I am not going to rule it out, that’s for sure because I have enjoyed my time at Aberdeen so much.”

Christie has also freely admitted that he’s become a better player since his loan move to the Granite City.

But surely now is the time for the youngster to make a claim for more first team football at Celtic Park.

When he arrives back at the Glasgow giant’s Lennoxtown training base for pre-season this summer he’ll find Kris Commons and Patrick Roberts missing from the dressing room. No doubt Celtic will do their upmost to get Roberts back but that seems far from definite.

Speculation is also mounting that Gary Mackay-Steven could be ready to depart Glasgow’s east end and become the next Celt heading for Aberdeen.

Brendan obviously kept an eye on Ryan when he was away, stating after a Dons win over Motherwell:

“It was a great finish from him last night.”

“He’s a very good young player and the move is working out really well so far.”

Christie’s versatility, creative nous and eye for goals are all traits we know Brendan likes in his players. The fact Christie willingly went up north to improve himself will also have been keenly noted by the Celtic management team.

He can play on the wings or in behind a striker, Ryan also possesses good movement, a neat pass and a nice quick and direct approach. I’ve also been impressed by the fact he’s beefed up since his move from Inverness, it shows he’s taking his career seriously and working hard during training sessions.

I honestly think Christie has enough in his arsenal to offer something different for Rodgers next term. He has shown at Aberdeen that he can help dictate things in the Scottish Premiership and help change/shape big games.

Also let’s not forget that Celtic will once again look to challenge in the Champions League and fight for a place in the elite tournament’s round of sixteen.

So while I’m unsure Ryan Christie deserves to walk straight into the starting line-up and I think Brendan Rodgers will bring in a new creative attacker this off-season, I do believe he merits a berth in the squad and a chance to prove himself again at Celtic Park.

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